Australia Test captain Tim Paine is “extremely confident” of being fit for the Ashes series against England despite undergoing invasive neck surgery.
Cricket Australia said Paine had been suffering from pain in his neck and left arm because of “a bulging disc which reduced his ability to train at full intensity and has not responded to treatment”.
Paine hopes to return to full training by the end of October after a six-week recuperation period.
“The precedent has been set, guys have got back from it reasonably quickly,” he told SEN radio.
“We’ve been talking to all those players, their physios, their surgeons to track their rehab plans and get me back as quick as we can.
“I’m pretty confident outside of that six weeks I’ll be ready to go within a week. That gives me plenty of time (for the Ashes).
“I won’t be as fit or as strong as I’d like to be. If I am moving freely, I’ll give a good fist of it.”
The first Test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane is scheduled to start on Dec. 8 and will be followed by four further matches in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
“I’m pretty happy with the decision,” said Paine. “After the surgeon had a look in there, he said it was a good decision to get it done.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman, who took over as captain following Steve Smith’s sacking in the wake of the 2018 Newlands ball-tampering scandal, said he had the operation in a bid to prolong his career beyond his Test playing days.
“I want to keep playing for Tasmania after my international career,” he said.
“To have it fixed and out of the way was the correct decision long term.”
