Australia skipper Tim Paine to undergo surgery ahead of Ashes

Cricket Australia said Paine had been suffering from pain in his neck and left arm

Australia test captain will undergo surgery on a pinched nerve in his neck on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, but is confident he will be fit to lead his country into the Ashes series later this year. 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". "The consensus of the spinal surgeon and the CA medical team was to have the surgery now which will allow plenty of time to fully prepare for the summer," Paine said in a statement.