Injury blow for Lewis

Jon Lewis © Getty Images

Gloucestershire captain Jon Lewis faces an ankle operation which could keep him out of action for almost three months.

The England seamer will undergo surgery to remove pieces of bone in his left ankle, the problem which forced him to return home early from the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia in February.

The pain eased sufficiently for Lewis to play in Gloucestershire’s first LV County Championship match of the season, but he sat out last Sunday’s Friends Provident Trophy defeat by Surrey and the current championship encounter against Leicestershire.

After consultation with a surgeon, it was decided that surgery was the best long-term option for Lewis, who is expected to be sidelined for between eight and 12 weeks.

Gloucestershire physio Steve Griffin said: “This seems like the best solution for Jon’s ankle, and hopefully will resolve the issues that have been causing him problems over the winter months.

“The rehabilitation process following the surgery is very important and we will not be rushing Jon back until he is completely ready.”