New Zealand’s pace injury crisis has deepened ahead of the third ODI against India in Hamilton, with Lockie Ferguson ruled out of the last two matches of the series and Blair Tickner sidelined by concussion protocols.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Monday that Ferguson has not recovered from the low-grade right-calf tear he sustained during the T20I series, ruling him out of the final two ODIs. Tickner, meanwhile, was cleared of concussion after taking a blow to the helmet in the second ODI in Wellington, where he was substituted out for Matt Fisher — but he must now serve the ICC’s mandatory seven-day stand-down period, which rules him out of the next two matches.
Bowling all-rounder Kristian Clarke, who was named for the last two ODIs, has been called up to provide cover for Tickner ahead of the third game in Hamilton. Matt Henry has been advised to target a return for the fourth ODI in Mount Maunganui, after a collision with Devon Conway ahead of the series and a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps during the second T20I. Henry and Kyle Jamieson, who were due to join the Test camp in Wellington after the third ODI, will now stay on for the fourth game, and New Zealand Cricket confirmed two more players will be added to the squad for the final two matches.
The injuries have forced a split in New Zealand’s preparations. Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith will head to Wellington on Wednesday, a day after the third ODI, to prepare for the two-Test series against India, the squad for which is due to be announced soon.
It leaves the hosts badly stretched for a match they must win. New Zealand trail India 0-2 in the five-match series after losing the T20Is 2-3, and the casualty list keeps growing: Devon Conway is out of the series with concussion, while Rachin Ravindra (shoulder) and Mark Chapman (hamstring) are also unavailable.
For the third ODI, captain Mitchell Santner has 14 players to choose from, including Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher and Nathan Smith, with Latham, Mitchell, Nicholls, Phillips, Tim Seifert and Will Young in the batting group. Finn Allen, Dean Foxcroft and Mitchell Hay come into the squad for the fourth ODI, when Henry is also expected back.
The third ODI begins at 7:30 AM IST on Tuesday at Seddon Park, where India will look to wrap up the series with two games to spare.
Related: “India Eye Series Win in Hamilton as Siraj Waits in the Wings for Third ODI Against New Zealand” ; “Lockie Ferguson Ruled Out of India T20Is as New Zealand’s Pace Injury Crisis Deepens Ahead of Eden Park Sell-Out“
