Will To Undergo Ankle Surgery
8 October 2013
Will Gidman is to undergo surgery on his left ankle and expects to be fit to challenge for a first team place in all forms of cricket next summer.
The prolific all-rounder took 55 first class wickets this season, including 50 in the LV=County Championship, and was named the club's Bowler-of-the-Year, despite being less than 100 per cent fit.
But he played in only four one-day matches, with director of cricket John Bracewell explaining that the ankle problem needed to be carefully managed.
John told this website: “Will was virtually bowling on one foot, by the end of the season and he will now have an operation to put that right.
“We had to manage how often he played and he is most effective with the red ball, although I can see that changing next season when two white balls are used in each innings of the 50-over competition.
“Will is a seam bowler, who likes the ball to be hard with the seam prominent. The change in the rules for the new one-day competition will suit his skills.”
Will himself declines to use his injury problem as an excuse for not playing regular Yorkshire Bank 40 and Friends Life t20 cricket this year.
He told this website: “The ankle nagged away for most of the season, but that certainly wasn’t the only reason I didn’t play one-day cricket.
“If I’m honest my form at the start of the summer didn’t merit a place and that is something I intend to work hard to put right during the winter.
“I’m going to have an operation to shave a pronounced bone spur on the inside of my left ankle. It’s nothing more serious than keyhole surgery and the recovery period should be swift.
“We won’t be hurrying things because I have had issues with the ankle before and need to get it right this time.
“I’ll be out of action for about a week after the surgery and then it will be back in to start my rehab. I won’t be going anywhere this winter. I plan to spend time with my family and work hard in the gym towards next season.”
Will is pictured with guest of honour Mayor George Ferguson at the club's Annual Awards evening last Friday night.
