Kuhnemann Praises Medical Staff for Recovery Ahead of Sri Lanka Tests
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Synopsis
Australia's left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann credits the medical team for his rapid recovery from thumb surgery. He is set to play in the Tests against Sri Lanka, just a week post-surgery, demonstrating resilience and dedication to his sport.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Kuhnemann appreciates his medical team’s swift recovery efforts.
- Underwent surgery for a fractured thumb after an accident during BBL.
- Cleared by Cricket Australia to join the team in Sri Lanka.
- Prior experience includes three Tests and a five-wicket haul in India.
- Prepared to compete alongside established spin bowlers in the upcoming Tests.
New Delhi, Jan 26 (NationPress) Australia’s left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann expressed his gratitude towards the medical team back home for their role in preparing him for the upcoming Tests against Sri Lanka, just a week after undergoing surgery for a fractured thumb.
Kuhnemann was quickly taken to the hospital by his Heat teammate Daniel Drew after sustaining a thumb fracture during a match in the Big Bash League (BBL) at the Gabba in Brisbane. The injury was treated that evening, followed by surgery the next morning to insert a pin into the fracture.
This injury and subsequent recovery process caused Kuhnemann to miss Australia’s training camp at the ICC Academy in Dubai. On January 24, he received clearance from Cricket Australia (CA) to join the Test squad in Sri Lanka ahead of the first Test set to begin in Galle on January 29.
“I’ve been bowling, batting, and fielding back in Australia last week, so I feel ready. It’s just about how my body responds over the next few days in this humid and hot weather. I suspect that since I broke that finger a couple of years ago without surgery, it may not have been as stable as before,” Kuhnemann remarked.
“According to the doctor, it was a freak accident – it landed precisely where it needed to. Now, with a couple of screws in place, it’s much more stable. My initial thought was, ‘Oh no, this doesn’t look good,’ but I was lucky to have an excellent surgeon and medical team who acted swiftly. By the next day, I was quite optimistic,” Kuhnemann added, as reported by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Kuhnemann has previously played three Tests for Australia during the tour of India in early 2023, where he even achieved a five-wicket haul after being brought in just before his debut in New Delhi. “It was quite a whirlwind experience. I was fortunate to arrive in Delhi a day before the rest of the team, allowing me some time to practice and ease my nerves,” he shared.
“When the pitch offers some help, your goal is to keep hitting the same areas and utilizing the crease effectively. It’s about bowling to a marker before the batters settle in. That’s my approach, testing myself to hit the mark six times out of six and applying pressure,” he added.
Kuhnemann will be vying for a position alongside veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon, off-spinner Todd Murphy, and left-arm spin all-rounder Cooper Connolly, as Steve Smith-led Australia evaluates their best slow-bowling options, assuming they opt for only two fast bowlers in Galle.
