Worcestershire batsman Tom Fell is targeting a return to cricket this summer despite suffering a set-back in his battle with cancer.
The 22-year-old was the county’s leading run-scorer in last season’s County Championship, but was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the end of the campaign and underwent surgery in October.
Fell was then given the green light to travel to Australia and play grade cricket in Perth from December, but after returning to the UK a CT scan detected a small area of cancer in his lymph nodes.
“It came as a complete shock because I did a blood test in Australia and that was all fine,” said Fell.
“I got back here, had the CT scan which detected a little bit of cancer in the lymph nodes that hadn’t been there before.
“It is very small at the moment and they’ve got hold of it early but the only option now is to have the chemotherapy.
“I will have three sessions of chemo starting from the end of next week, and each cycle lasts three weeks.
Fell to undergo Chemotherapy but determined to remain upbeat https://t.co/2JEJ7RqFGg pic.twitter.com/sxWWtPnzx9
— Worcestershire CCC (@WorcsCCC) March 4, 2016
“The third cycle ends about the middle of May and all being well, the understanding I was given was that, if I’m feeling okay, there is no reason why I can’t be back up and running by June and hopefully playing again at that stage.
“The important thing is to live your life, not mope about and get on with things. It is the best way to deal with it.
“You’ve got to stay positive and not feel sorry for yourself. If I react well, I might be able to still do certain things, do some training to keep fit, and head up to Worcester and be around the lads.
“I’ve had plenty of messages from the boys. I let them know this morning and everyone has come back with messages of support and phone calls.
“It’s a shame I won’t be on the plane with them to Abu Dhabi.”
Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes added: “Obviously we are absolutely gutted for Tom.
“He enjoyed his time in Perth and was desperately looking forward to the pre-season tour and the start of the season with the boys.
“However, his health is the most important thing to all of us here at Worcester and we wish him a speedy recovery towards getting back out on that cricket field.”
Source: ECB