Srinagar: Ahead of showpiece Cricket event, World Cup 2023, all teams are struggling to keep its players injury free with New Zealand latest to join long list of injured stars.
The New Zealand have been dealt with multiple injury concerns on Friday, 15 September at Lord’s.
Having taken a screamer in the slip cordon to send back Jonny Bairstow, Daryl Mitchell walked off the field with an injury to his ring finger. While he thankfully returned to even bowl, there were more concerns for the Blackcaps.
They soon lost opener Finn Allen and veteran pacer Tim Southee also to injuries, the latter’s more worrying of the two.
Allen failed to hang on to a difficult chance off Joe Root in the 12th over, and while making the one-handed attempt hurt his finger, forcing him off the field.
Two overs later, off Ben Lister, Root was put down again, this time by Southee, who dove across with both hands but saw the ball hit his thumb and deflect to third man.
New Zealand have issued an update on Southee, stating that the pacer’s x-ray confirmed a dislocation and fractured bone in his right thumb. A timeline for his recovery will only be established after further assessments. Allen, however, was cleared of any fracture.
“Injury Update | An x-ray has confirmed that Tim Southee dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb while attempting to take a catch in the 14th over of the 1st innings. A timeline for his recovery will be established tomorrow when he undergoes further assessment. #ENGvNZ ,” New Zealand Cricket Tweeted.
New Zealand were handed another blow when Ben Lister also walked off with a hamstring issue after bowling six overs.
Two of the three players are named in New Zealand’s squad for the World Cup while Allen missed out. The Kiwis are already concerned about Kane Williamson’s return after a long layoff and while he has been named in the World Cup squad, the batter is yet to make a return to competitive cricket.