New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will undergo surgery to correct a suspected stress fracture in his back, which could keep him out of action for up to four months. He will presently be down and out for the impending time of the Indian Premier League, where he was set to play for the Chennai Super Rulers, who had gotten him for INR 1 crore in the 2023 auction. He was included in the New Zealand team that will play England in the ongoing home series.

“Kyle has seen a back surgeon and is getting surgery later in the week. It’s been a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a big loss for us. He has been fantastic when he has been around all of our sides when he has been part of them.”

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed.

The tall pacer’s setback is a recurrence of a back injury he suffered last year on the England tour. He made a full recovery in the domestic circuit and even participated in a warm-up game against England in Hamilton in preparation for the current Test series. 

Jamieson had been anticipated to participate in at least one of the subsequent Test matches, despite not having played in an international cricket match since June, when he first suffered the back injury in England. Jamieson will now travel back to Christchurch for additional evaluation after tests performed prior to the opening game in Mount Maunganui revealed a second fracture.

Jamieson will be out of the New Zealand home series against Sri Lanka in March and April, the Pakistani away tour in April and May, and the Indian Premier League 2023 season, where he was purchased by Chennai Super Kings for INR 1 crore. For a possible return, Jamieson could target New Zealand’s August tour of England.

“We just wish him well, and we will know more in about three to four months about what that end prognosis looks like for him. Surgery provides a quicker return to play and that’s the encouraging thing for him. We want to give him the best chance of recovery because we know what a star he has been for us,”

Stead further stated.

Matt Henry will return to the team for the second Test, which begins on February 24 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand, which lost badly in the first Test against England due to a lack of bowling resources, will welcome him back into the mix.

The 27-year-old’s recovery time is unknown, but his absence was felt during the first Test against England, where England defeated New Zealand by 267 runs

The four-time IPL champions focused on acquiring all-rounders during the mini-auction, and Jamieson’s injury forced CSK to address the succession issue. They will announce the replacement shortly, and potential candidates include Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Nishant Sindhu, and others.