Australia Test star Matt Kuhnemann stuns series-saving surgeon with Sri Lanka riot

The quick-acting surgeon who answered a late-night SOS to save Matt Kuhnemann’s Sri Lankan tour has been amazed by spinner’s “incredible’’ comeback.

The quick-acting surgeon who answered a late-night SOS to save Matt Kuhnemann’s Sri Lankan tour has been amazed by spinner’s “incredible’’ comeback.

Kuhemann produced a comeback story for the ages when he bounced back from having two screws inserted in his right thumb on his non-bowling hand on January 17 to take 5-63 and 4-86 against Sri Lanka in Australia’s landslide win in the just completed first Test in Galle.

“The mere fact that he is playing is incredible,’’ leading Brisbane orthopaedic surgeon Doctor Steve Frederiksen told this masthead.

“To take a five-for and a four-for is amazing. For him to be able to turn it around is just a wonderful effort.’’

Frederiksen was watching from square of the wicket with his son Sam when Kuhnemann recoiled in agony in a Big Bash game at the Gabba January 16 taking a ball hit back to him by Matt Wade.

Matthew Kuhnemann took nine wickets on his Test return. Picture: Ishara S.Kodikara/AFP

Frederiksen, who had previously assisted Kuhnemann with injuries to the same thumb, instantly feared the worst.

“When I saw him leave the field I knew something had happened and with three balls to go in the game I got a call from the (Heat) doctor Martin Smith and we went from there.’’

Every hour is precious with the treatment of finger injuries and, in a decision which may have saved Kuhnemann’s tour, Frederiksen elected to meet Kuhnemann in a late night visit to St Andrews Hospital just after play to put the fingers back in place before having surgery the next morning.

“I dropped Sam home then swung back and went to St Andrews. Knowing what the injury was, it is always good to put things (fingers) back where they belong. The night visit was to put everything back in place. The next morning was the washout and to fix the bone. We put a couple of screws in.’’

Matthew Kuhnemann ran riot in Sri Lanka. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Hailed as a “magician’’ by Australian captain Steve Smith, Frederiksen said Kuhnemann looked “devastated’’ when he first saw him but the doctor could not hide the truth – the chances of Kuhnemann touring Sri Lanka were not good.

“The nature of the injury in that particular sport a very bleak picture was painted early. But after it all came together it all seemed to flow.

‘”When I first saw Matt I did not know about the Sri Lankan tour until he brought it up. When he raised it it was a pretty bleak picture. We talked around that with his family. It was a pretty nasty injury.’’

Frederiksen missed Kuhnemann taking the first wicket of the Test but turned in after a handful of overs to see him fill his boots in the first innings.

“It’s incredible he is playing but also that he did not miss a beat. It is his non-dominant hand. That helped. And the fact that he had had experiences bowling in India with essentially the same splint on. He just didn’t see the splint as an issue when everyone else did.’’