MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 11: Matthew Kuhnemann of Queensland fields during the Sheffield Shield match between Victoria and Queensland at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on February 11, 2023, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)

Matthew Kuhnemann had a phenomenal start to his first-class stint with Durham in the County Championship. The 26-year-old is currently the joint-equal top wicket-taker in the second division with 12 wickets at 22.58.

Kuhnemann shone during his call-up for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, bagging nine wickets in three games played including a mightily respectable 5/16 in Indore. Post that, in a bid to prepare for the Ashes like several other Australian players, Kuhnemann signed with Durham.

Last month, Kuhnemann bowled a match-winning spell by bagging a five-wicket haul in an absolute thriller against Worcestershire on the final day of play.

In the match against Glamorgan, Kuhnemann managed to bowl only four overs until he picked up a back injury. Post-medical consultation, Kuhnemann is set to miss Durham's next three four-day fixtures against Derbyshire, Yorkshire, and Gloucestershire due to a four-week recovery projection.

Durham has called in one-time England test leg spinner Matt Parkinson as a replacement on loan from Lancashire.

A massive blow for the Queenslander who saw a rapid rise in recent months, who started as his state's second spinner only to be on a plane to India a few months later.

Kuhnemann has missed selection for the World Test Championship final and Ashes but will be the spinner on stand-by in case Todd Murphy or Nathan Lyon get injured and hence will look to recover quickly and continue from where he left off.