[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Australian Test captain Tim Paine will undergo surgery in Hobart tomorrow to repair a pinched nerve in his neck which will allow him to fully prepare for the upcoming Test summer.

Paine had been suffering pain in his neck and left arm due to a bulging disc which reduced his ability to train at full intensity and has not responded to treatment.

He consulted a spinal surgeon in Hobart late last week. The surgeon recommended the surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve and allow Paine time to return to training later this month.

“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.

“I expect to be able to restart physical activity by the end of this month and be back in full training in October. I will be ready to go by the first Test and am very much looking forward to what will be a huge summer.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]