Tim Paine to undergo neck surgery, optimistic of leading Australia in Ashes

Australia Test captain Tim Paine is set to go under the knife for a pinched nerve in his neck on Tuesday (14 September) at Tasmania in Hobart. Paine was experiencing pain in his neck and arm due to a bulging disc which hampered his training. The Australian skipper then consulted a spinal surgeon who suggested him to undergo a surgery. With just three months to go before the Ashes, Paine was concerned if he could recover before the Ashes but after the assurance of the doctors, he agreed for the same.

“The consensus of the spinal surgeon and the CA medical team was to have the surgery now, which will allow plenty of time to fully prepare for the summer,” Paine said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the doctors who are attending Paine are confident that he will be able to resume light training and workout by September end. They also remain optimistic about the 35-year-old returning to full training in October.

“I expect to be able to restart physical activity by the end of this month and be back in full training in October. I will be ready to go by the first test and am very much looking forward to what will be a huge summer.”

Before the Ashes series, Australia are also set to play Afghanistan for a one-off Test match on November 27 in Hobart. But there is uncertainty looming around over it due to the Taliban sweeping to power in Afghanistan. Also, its subsequent ban on women playing cricket has led to CA in a spot of bother.

Although Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) officials have given an optimistic verdict of women returning to cricket soon, there is no official announcement yet for the same.