Craig Kieswetter is visiting eye specialists in Belgium and the USA as part of his recovery from the injury that could rule him out for all of this season.
The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman is struggling to regain perfect vision after sustaining a fractured cheekbone and broken nose when hit by a David Willey bouncer in July’s LV= County Championship game with Northamptonshire at Wantage Road.
The 27-year-old Kieswetter underwent surgery and returned to Somerset action in September before representing Warriors in South Africa’s Ram Slam T20 Challenge during November and December.
Kieswetter, named in England’s preliminary 30-man World Cup squad, was set to play for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League but opted out of Australia’s Twenty20 competition.
Important day in Belgium! Fingers crossed.
— Craig Kieswetter (@kiesy_22) January 20, 2015
Somerset director of cricket Matt Maynard, who has been in contact with Kieswetter, said visiting the specialists “will hopefully give some indication as to what will happen going forward”.
He added: “Craig has got a lot of years left as a top player but it is important that he makes sure he gets his vision looked after which is why he is seeing the best eye specialists in the world.
“Hopefully, that will give us a better understanding of the long-term prognosis.”
Kieswetter is Somerset’s first-choice gloveman and an attacking right-hander worthy of county selection in all formats for his batting alone.
Having made his England debut in 2010, he has played in 46 one-day and 25 Twenty20 internationals. His most recent England appearance was two years ago.
Maynard said: “As a coach I have had to plan that we won’t see him for the summer. If the results from the specialists are positive and he feels that he is ready to resume his career before the end of the season then we would be delighted to have him back.
“Craig has to think quite selfishly at this stage about what’s best for him. He loves playing cricket for Somerset and I am sure that he would love to continue doing so but first and foremost he knows that his eye has got to be right.
“Obviously we all wish him the very best with the upcoming appointments with the specialists and hopefully we’ll have some good news for both Craig and Somerset County Cricket Club.”