Problems mount for New Zealand as Kyle Jamieson rules out months

Injured fast bowler Kyle Jamieson was on Monday ruled out of cricket for a long spell following a crushing 267-run defeat in the first Test against England. Coach Gary Stead confirmed Jamieson has been diagnosed with a back stress fracture and will undergo surgery this week, with a recovery time of at least four months. The 28-year-old was set to return from a long layoff for the Test in Mount Maunganui but could only see England as the home team in an eighth successive Test without a win.

“This is a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a great loss for us,” Stead said.

Stead said Jamieson, whose absence coincided with the team’s poor run of form, had been “fantastic” to be part of the New Zealand team.

“We’ll know more about what the final prognosis looks like for them in about three to four months,” he said.

Jamieson’s pace and bounce were sorely missed by New Zealand, whose inexperienced attack struggled to contain England’s attacking batting in the day-night Test at Bay Oval.

Steady fast bowler Matt Henry will join the team for the second Test starting in Wellington on Friday following the birth of his first child.

Fast bowler Jacob Duffy and leg-spinner Ish Sodhi have been released from the team.

Stead urged his team to find a way to hit back at the England team that dictated terms in the First Test.

“The way England are playing, it’s not surprising to us at all, but they are playing very well,” he said.

“For us, it’s now finding ways that we can counter that and, I think, try and slow down the pace at which they’re playing the game.

“We want to go out and throw some punches at England.”

Stead suggested that the batting line-up would remain unchanged despite their problems in the top order, with fast bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad failing to match the quick firepower.

“We believe these are our best cricketers. We will not make massive or hasty changes when our top-order is struggling,” he added.

“I don’t think it’s unfair to say that we lack a little bit of that confidence at the moment, but I can assure you that confidence is still with this group of people.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and was auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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