David Payne Ruled Out of T20 Blast After Ankle Surgery Decision

David Payne, the experienced left-arm seamer for Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 Blast campaign after opting to undergo ankle surgery following an injury sustained during his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad.

The 35-year-old was signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this season as an injury replacement for Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards. However, Payne managed to feature in only two matches during the tournament.

He picked up figures of 2 for 35 in three overs against Royal Challengers Bengaluru before returning 0 for 35 in two overs against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Before joining the IPL, Payne had enjoyed an outstanding winter in franchise cricket. He played a key role in helping the Desert Vipers and Perth Scorchers secure titles in the ILT20 and Big Bash League respectively.

The seamer delivered match-winning performances in both finals, recording figures of 3 for 42 in the ILT20 final and 3 for 18 in the Big Bash League final, the latter earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.

After returning home from India in early April, Payne and Gloucestershire’s medical staff decided surgery was the best long-term option for his career.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Payne expressed disappointment at missing the competition.“I’m absolutely gutted to be missing the Blast, and I’m very sorry to all our supporters,” Payne wrote.“The decision to have surgery was an incredibly difficult one, and it was only taken after exhausting every possible avenue to get me back playing.”

He also thanked the club’s coaching and medical teams for their support during the process and said he would continue supporting the side from the sidelines.

Payne’s absence represents a major setback for Gloucestershire, especially considering his remarkable impact in recent T20 Blast campaigns. During Gloucestershire’s title-winning run in 2024, Payne finished as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 33 wickets at an average of 12.75.

He also starred in the final against Somerset County Cricket Club at Edgbaston, taking 3 for 27 as Gloucestershire sealed an emphatic eight-wicket victory.

In the following season, Payne continued his strong form by claiming 17 wickets at 21.58, although Gloucestershire were unable to progress beyond the group stage in their title defence.

The club will now have to navigate the remainder of the T20 Blast campaign without one of their most experienced and reliable bowlers as Payne begins his recovery and rehabilitation process.