The Sydney Thunder have been dealt a blow ahead of the Big Bash League, with import Craig Kieswetter ruled out of the entire summer with a serious eye injury.

The wicketkeeper-batsman will also be rubbed out of England’s World Cup campaign, which starts in February.

The 27-year-old was named in a provisional 30-man squad for the tournament, to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, but his English county side confirmed his unavailability due to ongoing problems stemming from an eye injury sustained in a county game in July.

“Craig, who sustained a terrible injury to his eye while batting (in July), has struggled to regain perfect vision,” the Somerset statement read.

“As a result of this Craig will be withdrawing from the Big Bash T20 in Australia to undergo further specialist rehabilitation.

“The long-term prognosis is unknown at this stage but it is unlikely that he will be fit for the 2015 (English summer).”

The Thunder open their BBL campaign against the Brisbane Heat on December 21.

Kieswetter has made 46 ODI appearances for England.