Will On Road To Recovery
15 November 2013
Will Gidman believes his recent ankle operation has been a success and expects to challenge strongly for a place in all forms of cricket next season.
The all-rounder underwent surgery at a Bristol hospital a month ago and is already some way into his rehabilitation programme.
Will told this website: “It was a minor operation, so I was only in hospital for one night. I was expecting it to be keyhole surgery, but they found quite a lot of scar tissue, which turned out to be what had been causing the vast majority of the pain.
“That meant some open surgery and there was a bone spur which needed shaving off as well, but all went well and hopefully the problems are now behind me.
“I was on crutches for a few days to keep weight off the ankle, but after about ten days I was walking pretty comfortably and, apart from a bit of stiffness, there has been no reaction since.
“I won’t really find out whether the surgery has been a true success until I start bowling, which probably won’t be until after Christmas. But the signs are good.
“For the moment, while the other lads are already back batting and bowling, I am in the early stages of my rehab and making sure I take things a step at a time.
“As a group we work very hard during the winter, with programmes carefully set out by the coaching staff. I came in at 9.30am the other morning and the rest of the players were already in.”
While Will took 55 first class wickets in another prolific season of first class cricket, he made relatively few one-day appearances.
Director of Cricket John Bracewell is hoping that will change in 2014 and believes the new 50-over competition, using two new balls per innings, will suit the seam bowling all-rounder.
“Form permitting, I hope to play in all forms of cricket next summer.” Said Will. “John was gracious enough to say that the fitness was the main reason I didn’t appear in more one-day matches this season, but I am tough on myself and know my performances at the start were not good enough
“I am very excited about the 50-over competition, which should suit me as a format, and I will certainly be doing all I can to be involved.”
