Skip to content

Craig Kieswetter to see specialists over continuing eye problems

Image: Craig Kieswetter: Somerset keeper to have further scans

Craig Kieswetter will visit specialists in Belgium and the United States over the next week to get to the bottom of his vision problems.

Kieswetter suffered horrific facial injuries batting for Somerset last summer when a ball from Northants seamer David Willey got through the grille of his helmet.

While most of the injuries have healed, Kieswetter suffered further problems when he returned to action in South Africa's Twenty20 competition earlier this winter, and he recently admitted he was unlikely to play at all in 2015.

Concern

Somerset director of cricket Matthew Maynard spoke to Kieswetter before his busy schedule of specialist visits, and he said: "When he came back at the tail end of last season Craig knew that his eye wasn’t quite as good as it was prior to the injury.

"Then when he played in the Ram Slam T20 over in South Africa it became evident to Craig that the eye hadn’t improved from where it was at the end of the season so that’s obviously a concern for him. 

"He will see an eye specialist in Belgium next week, as well as seeing a specialist in the USA. That will hopefully give some indication as to what will happen going forward.

“Craig has got a lot of years left as a top player but it is important that he makes sure he gets his vision looked after which is why he is seeing the best eye specialists in the world. Hopefully, that will give us a better understanding of the long-term prognosis.”

Latest Cricket Stories

Maynard is working on his squad without Kieswetter as things stand, with Alex Barrow likely to take his position behind the stumps unless Somerset bring in any temporary cover.

He added: “As a coach I have had to plan that we won’t see him for the summer. 

"If the results from the specialists are positive and he feels that he is ready to resume his career before the end of the season then we would be delighted to have him back.

"Craig has to think quite selfishly at this stage about what’s best for him. He loves playing cricket for Somerset and I am sure that he would love to continue doing so but first and foremost he knows that his eye has got to be right."

Around Sky