Brisbane Heat spinner Matthew Kuhnemann is in major danger of missing Australia’s two-Test tour of Sri Lanka after suffering a compound dislocation of his right thumb during a Big Bash match on Thursday evening.
Kuhnemann, Australia’s first-choice left-arm finger spinner, will see a hand specialist on Friday to assess the damage of a nasty blow to his thumb while bowling.
The 28-year-old was bowling his final over during the Hobart Hurricanes’ run chase when Matthew Wade hit a ball firmly back at him.
Kuhnemann tried to stop the ball but it smashed into his right thumb in what looked to be a painful injury.
The three-Test tweaker immediately ran off the Gabba, with replays showing his right thumb out of place.
Kuhnemann was taken to hospital for treatment, less than two days out from when he and Australian teammates are scheduled to travel to the UAE for a training camp before Sri Lanka.
Kuhnemann suffered a nasty thumb injury in the Big Bash. Credit: Channel 7
A Heat spokesperson said Kuhnemann had suffered a compound dislocation to his right thumb and would see a hand specialist before a call was made on his availability for the tour.
The good news for Kuhnemann is the injury is on his non-bowling hand but there is certainly doubt over his availability for the tour.
Cricket Australia was contacted for comment.
Heat and Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne said the news did not look good.
“I just heard about Matt Kuhnemann, so that’s pretty bad,” Labuschagne told AAP after the match. “Thumb … it doesn’t look great. I really feel for him.”
“It’s someone I’m close to and he’s grown so much with his bowling and in Sri Lanka, he’s probably one of the first picked over there. I’m really gutted.”
Australia already have off-spinners Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy at their disposal for two Tests in Sri Lanka, starting on January 29 and February 6.
If Kuhnemann can’t play in Sri Lanka, Cooper Connolly’s chances of a Test debut will increase significantly, given his ability to bowl left-arm spin and turn the ball away from right-handers.
Australian selectors could be forced to call up a leg-spinner in Kuhnemann’s potential absence, with Tanveer Sangha and Mitch Swepson looming as options.
More to come
