County Championship: Back injury ends Matthew Kuhnemann's stint with Durham

Australia spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who is associated with Durham in the County Championship, will fly back home to recover from a back injury. During his team’s match against Glamorgan in the Division Two game of the County Championship, he faced discomfort and could not continue to serve his team on the field. 

On Saturday, reports revealed that the Aussie player required an extended period of rehabilitation to overcome his back injury. With this development, it is confirmed that Durham will have to continue their campaign without the left-arm spinner’s services. After returning to Australia, Kuhnemann will go through a rehabilitation process at Queensland Cricket. 

"We are all extremely disappointed for Matt, who, in just a short time with the club, has made a great impact on and off the field. We wish Matt well in his recovery," Durham’s Director of Cricket told ESPNCricinfo

Earlier in March, Durham County Cricket Club expressed happiness by announcing their signing with Kuhnemann for the 2023 County Championship. After joining the club, Kuhnemann looked excellent with the ball for Durham. Clinching 12 wickets at an average of 22.58, the star performer made his image stronger in the team.

Against Worcestershire, he looked at his best and picked up 5/53 figures in the second innings and bagged a convincing 121-run triumph for his team. However, his injury has benefited the England leg-spinner Matt Parkinson, who has been brought into Durham from Lancashire on a two-week loan deal that took place last week.

Parkinson, who has featured in 12 international games for England, will look to be a perfect replacement for Kuhnemann by delivering impactful numbers to Durham. 

Kuhnemann’s Test debut and impressive bowling display against India

Before signing up with Durham, Kuhnemann served Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2022-23 and grabbed nine wickets in three games at an average of 31.11. In his team’s nine-wicket victory over India in the third Test at Indore, the 26-year-old showcased a stunning bowling display in the first innings by picking up a fifer.