Ross Taylor cleared to play Hamilton Test, will undergo eye surgery after 2nd Test

Hard-hitting New Zealand top order batsman Ross Taylor was made available to play in the 2nd Test against Pakistan after undergoing further eye examination. However the surgery will be conducted only after the match ends, team physiotherapist Tommy Simsek said.

“Taylor’s left eye had a form of scarring that needed attention, but it was not yet impacting on the 32-year-old’s sight. Ross has a pterygium on his left eye, which is gradually getting bigger. Both the specialists he’s seen in recent days have advised Ross still has 20/20 vision and Ross himself feels confident he is ready to play,” Simsek said.

Even though Taylor has been cleared for the 2nd Test against Pakistan, he will miss the ODI series in Australia early next month while he undergoes surgery.

“Ross will still need to undergo a medical procedure on his eye to remove the pterygium before it gets any larger,” Simsek said.

“He’ll have surgery following the Test which rules him out of cricket for approximately four to six weeks.”

The right-hander had complained about his vision during the 3rd day of the 1st test against Pakistan. It was not the first time Taylor faced this problem and the New Zealand team management stated on Sunday that he will be consulting an eye specialist during the course of this week.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said that Taylor couldn’t come to bat in his usual No.4 position during the 2nd innings as the situation worsened and he found very difficult to have a clear view. He also stated that it might be the reason behind Taylor’s woeful form in the international circuit in the current past. Taylor has scored at an average of 11.44 in his last 10 innings.

Taylor had a similar eye test during the end of last year and went on to score a majestic 290 against the mighty Australians following some medical attention.