South Africa quick Glenton Stuurman is on the way back to Bloemfontein after just one County Championship outing for Kent, medical scans confirming a strain that will keep him out for around six weeks.
The 29-year-old had joined for the opening block of red-ball fixtures in April and May and looked lively at Chester-le-Street, taking 3 for 64 in Durham’s first innings and finishing with match figures of 5 for 107. Yet the niggle he felt during that game – initially labelled a “mild strain” – proved more troublesome once the swelling went down and a proper assessment could be made earlier this week.
“We’re disappointed that Glenton’s time has been cut short this season,” Kent’s director of cricket, Simon Cook, said. “He has been a good addition to the dressing room.”
Cook added that cover is close at hand: “With Matt Quinn very close to match fitness and Mikey Cohen fully available, we still have depth in our seam bowling attack for the near future. Grant Stewart will also be in contention to return next week.”
Kent sit second from bottom in Division Two after two draws, the latest against Northamptonshire shortened by heavy showers. All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy, another South African, is scheduled to arrive in late May for the Vitality Blast and the remainder of the Championship campaign, which should soften the blow of Stuurman’s premature departure.
A six-week lay-off means Stuurman will target domestic cricket back home in early June, once the injury has settled and the Proteas’ medical staff have signed him off.
