Eden Carson will miss the rest of New Zealand’s home summer and the next T20 World Cup after deciding to repair a partial ligament tear in her right elbow. The 24-year-old off-spinner goes under the knife on Thursday, with medical staff advising a six-month rehabilitation period.
Carson first felt the problem at a pre-World Cup training camp in Dubai. She managed the pain through the 50-over tournament, playing all seven league matches and sending down 35.4 overs for two wickets at 5.60 an over. New Zealand Cricket confirmed the damage in a short statement, noting that her recovery window rules her out of the 2026 T20 title defence.
Head coach Ben Sawyer backed the timing of the operation. “We’re all really gutted for Eden,” he said. “The team has a big six months ahead and I know how difficult it was for her to make the decision to go through with the surgery now, but I fully support it. It’ll obviously be a huge loss for the team not having Eden available, especially for the T20 World Cup where she played a big role for us last year. At just 24, she’s still got a long career ahead, so it’s important we look forward and prioritise getting her back on the park and fully fit.”
Team physiotherapist Brooke Halliday underlined the need for caution: “An elbow ligament repair demands patience. Rushing back could compromise her career, so a structured six-month programme is sensible.”
Carson’s absence leaves a gap in New Zealand’s spin stocks ahead of Zimbabwe’s visit in February and March 2026. She was a key figure in the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, claiming nine wickets at 6.39. For now, selectors must search for cover, while Carson begins a rehab path designed to protect her long-term prospects.
