“Ross himself feels confident he is ready to play”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor has been cleared to play in the second and final Test against Pakistan in Hamilton, but will need to undergo eye surgery after.

Taylor had been in doubt for the match after he was diagnosed with a benign growth in his left eye, but he was given the green light to play as the growth was not affecting his vision in any way.

While this may be the case, New Zealand physiotherapist Tommy Simsek confirmed that Taylor would go under the knife in order to ensure the growth doesn’t become larger.

“Ross has a pterygium on his left eye, which is gradually getting bigger,” Simsek said. “Both the specialists he has seen in recent days have advised Ross still has 20/20 vision, and Ross himself feels confident he is ready to play.

“But Ross will still need to undergo a medical procedure on his eye to remove the pterygium before it gets any larger. He’ll have surgery following the Test, which rule him out of cricket for approximately four to six weeks.”

As a result of the operation, Taylor will miss the three-match ODI series against Australia next month.

New Zealand currently lead the two-Test series against Pakistan 1-0 as they triumphed by eight wickets in the first Test in Christchurch.