New Zealand could head into the World Cup without their experienced fast bowler Tim Southee who is expected to be unavailable for the Blackcaps in the mega event, especially in the initial matches of the tournament. Southee fractured his thumb while fielding during the fourth ODI against England. The fast bowler will undergo surgery on Thursday two weeks before his team’s World Cup opener against defending champions England. “A decision on the senior pace bowler’s availability for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India will be made early next week once the results of the surgery are known,” NZC said.
Coach’s Corner
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said Test captain Southee would be given “every chance” to make the World Cup “We’ve got our fingers crossed the surgery goes well for Tim,” Stead said. “He’ll have some pins or screws inserted in his right thumb and, providing the procedure is a success, it will be a matter of ensuring Tim can tolerate the pain and manage the actual wound when returning to train and play. ”New Zealand will contest a three-match ODI series in Bangladesh, beginning on Thursday.
Injury Concerns
England completed a 3-1 series victory over New Zealand in the final one-day international at Lord’s last week. It was during that final one-day international that Southee suffered his injury in dropping a catch from England’s Joe Root. New Zealand is battling several issues in the build-up to Cricket World Cup 2023, with Daryl Mitchell also sending a scare through the camp when he walked off the field in the same match as Southee, albeit with a minor finger injury that should be of no impact to the all-rounder.
The Blackcaps are also mindful of regular captain Kane Williamson who is also recovering from an ACL tear that he suffered in the opening match of IPL 2023. The right-hander is expected to be fit in time for the World Cup. New Zealand is scheduled to play Cricket World Cup warm-up matches against Pakistan in Hyderabad on 29 September, and South Africa in Trivandrum on 2 October after the ODI series against Bangladesh
