Kyle Jamieson ruled out for at least an year after suffering another back stress fracture | Cricket News

New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson will be out for at least an year after suffering another back stress fracture during the first Test against South Africa in in Mount Maunganui.
The 29-year-old missed the second Test at Seddon Park, where New Zealand clinched a horic series victory over the Proteas. The scans has revealed a new injury in the same location as the fracture on which he underwent surgery last February but team medical staff have decided against another operation.
“It’s been an emotional journey over the last few days, just trying to get your head around the fact it’s another extended stint on the sidelines,” Jamieson told reporters.
“I know injuries are part of life as a cricketer and at my age I am hopeful I still have many more playing days ahead of me.”
“But I’ve definitely seen there’s a path forward and optimism around this recovery and what I can come back to.
“It’s just about trying to have faith in that and have faith in the bigger picture, and know that I can get back and get through this.
“In time, it’ll be a little blip on the radar and we’ll have some good stuff to show for it, I’m sure.”
Jamieson has taken 80 wickets at an average of 19.73 in 19 Tests since his debut in 2020.
However, the pacer has found optimism in the familiarity of the injury and is hopeful of making a strong comeback.
“There’s a couple of patterns over the past few years — and you kind of have to have these setbacks to notice them as patterns — around some of the way you build up for red-ball cricket,” he said.
“Hory suggests that when you get that process right there’s still a lot of cricket to be played. I get a huge amount of hope from that.”
“Those moments, if I can do that when my back’s maybe not holding up as well as it you’d like, then what am I gonna be like when it’s good?” he said. “I’ll just keep that vision in mind and keep trying to chase that and come out the other side.
“I know some of the hurdles I’ll have to overcome, probably more mentally and emotionally. The physical side is the easy part — you just rest and build back up. It’s almost autopilot in a way.
“It’s tough, because you don’t want to go through it again. You hope that each time is that last time. But I’m also six-foot-eight and I’m trying to bowl fast, so I know it’s part of the journey.
“And I’m also 29 so I know there’s a fair amount of cricket to be played.”
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said: “We’ve all seen how much work Kyle has put into returning to international cricket and for him to have a setback like this is tough news to get.”
“On the positive side we know how determined he is to keep playing cricket for New Zealand and we will be fully behind him on the rehabilitation road ahead. His resolve is undiminished.”