Cricket World Cup 2019: Will Young choses shoulder surgery over NZ reserve

Will Young.
Will Young. Photo credit: AAP

Form New Zealand batsman Will Young has put his future ahead of being a World Cup reserve, after choosing to undergo surgery that could rule him out for the rest of the year.

Last week, Young found out his right shoulder needed to go under the knife, after sustaining the injury during the Blackcaps training camp in Lincoln last month.

The injury hasn't hampered the 26-year-old's form with the bat, as he posted scores of 60 and 130 for a New Zealand XI against Australia in Cricket World Cup warm-up fixtures.

His high scores come a week after he was rewarded with one of 20 fulltime New Zealand Cricket contracts, following a stunning summer with Central Districts, and New Zealand 'A' against India and Pakistan.

After talking to Blackcaps coach Gary Stead, Young decided to sort out the problem now, rather than risk further damage that could hamper his future.

"I was batting cover for the World Cup," he explained. "However, to be able to play international cricket, you need to be able to throw and at the moment, I can't do that.

"I have got enough time left in my career - 8-10 years hopefully - and I want to be able to throw for that time. It's niggly timing, for sure, but I want to get it done and sorted out.

"I'll return to New Zealand after the third game to have surgery and hopefully, I'll get it done as soon as possible.

"If I get it done at the end of May, I miss the start of the New Zealand summer and hopefully I'll play in most of it."

Young was due to make his Blackcaps test debut in place of Kane Williamson for the third test against Bangladesh in Christchurch, but the match was called off after the terror attack in the city.

The final game between the New Zealand XI and Australia takes place in Brisbane on Friday.

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