Essex have confirmed that wicket-keeper Adam Wheater requires surgery on a thumb injury and will need six weeks to recover.
The 29-year-old picked up the problem on day one of Essex’s County Championship clash against former club Hampshire.
Dan Lawrence deputised for the rest of the day as Wheater was taken away for further assessment.
But Essex teenager Will Buttleman will need to keep for the rest of the game at the Ageas Bowl after it was confirmed Wheater will be unavailable for around six weeks.
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Essex said in a statement: “Adam Wheater is set for a spell out of the team after he sustained a thumb injury on the opening day of the season against his former side, Hampshire.
After X-rays on the injury, Adam will now an operation and expected to be out of action for up to six weeks.”
