Tim Paine, Australia’s Test captain, will have neck surgery in order to be ready for the Ashes series against England, which begins in December. According to a statement published by Cricket Australia on Monday, the surgery will take place this week, and the 36-year-old wicketkeeper is expected to return to training in October.
“The spinal surgeon and the Cricket Australia medical team agreed that having the operation now would give me plenty of time to properly prepare for the summer,” Paine said in a statement. “I’ll be ready for the first Test.”
Every year, England and Australia compete in the Ashes, perhaps the most renowned Test series in the game’s history. The fight between the two titans is set to begin on December 8 this year.
Pain in his neck and left arm caused by a bulging disc has hampered Paine’s training. Paine will not be part of Australia’s team for the Twenty20 World Cup, which begins next month in the United Arab Emirates, and will instead concentrate on the test format.
The Australians haven’t played a test match since losing a series to India at home in January.
A match versus Afghanistan set to begin on November 27 in Hobart has been called off because the Taliban retook control of that nation.
Several English players have raised worries about quarantine and travel restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak, raising questions about the tour’s viability. According to rumours, talismanic pacer James Anderson has stated that his family would not accompany him to Australia since his children will need to be present in England for their schooling.