Paine claimed his surgeon recommended the surgery for his playing career and beyond.

“I had the bugling disc pressing on my spine, I was having some pain down the left side of my body,” he said.

“It was that touch-and-go stage, where I don’t get it done and take the risk I’ll be right for the Ashes or get it done now and make sure I am.

“I’m pretty happy with the decision. After the surgeon had a look in there, he said it was a good decision to get it done.

“They moved my voice box to the side and got in that way. It’s less invasive, safer,” he said.

“They put the new disc in, stitched them up and away we go. I feel like my range is already better and I just have to now make sure the cut heals and give the disc time to take to my spine over the next month or so, then get moving.

“The most important thing in the first two weeks is the healing itself. I need it to take with the bone that is there.

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“It’s a slow process, I’ll be walking over the next couple of weeks, doing a lot of little neck physio movements. It’s a see how we go from there.

“I know I will be dealing with physios for the next six weeks before I start my cricket rehab.

“I want to keep playing for Tasmania after my international career. To have it fixed and out of the way was the correct decision long term.”