Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

“We expect Jimmy to be back playing again in around four to six weeks”

New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham has been ruled out for the second and final Twenty20 International against Sri Lanka in Pallekele due to a finger injury.

Neesham injured the little finger of his left hand during the third ODI in Dambulla when he tried to stop a ball hit back at him by Sri Lanka pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekara.

Neesham underwent an x-ray the following day, which revealed no fracture to the bone.

However, a subsequent ultrasound showed that there was some moderate damage to the tendon.

New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close revealed that Neesham’s injury would take approximately a month to recover.

“It’s important we allow Jimmy’s finger sufficient time to heal in order to achieve a full recovery,” Close said. “We expect Jimmy to be back playing again in around four to six weeks.”