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| At the moment, only 10 members of the New Zealand team are fit Photo: ICC The fear is about to come true! New Zealand was at the top of the points table for almost two weeks after winning the first four matches of the World Cup. Many were watching New Zealand in the semi-finals. That team is now in danger of falling out of the first phase.
The Kiwis won their first four matches and then lost three in a row. In between, the 190-run loss to South Africa last night in Pune has cost them a huge loss. The team fell far behind Australia in net run rate and dropped to fourth in the points table. In order to play in the semis, the last two matches of the preliminary round must be won. But how much is possible if the key players of the team are not in important matches? The New Zealand team is now a small hospital!  |
Two more players got injured yesterday. Regular captain Kane Williamson, middle order batsman Mark Chapman and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson are already struggling with injuries. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham and pacer Matt Henry are injured again during tomorrow's game.
Henry missed the bowling quota against South Africa with a hamstring injury. He left the field after bowling 5.3 overs. Neesham was injured in his right wrist; That's why he batted at number nine.
This means that 10 of the 15 players in New Zealand's World Cup squad are fit. If none of the injured recover quickly, New Zealand will struggle to field an XI against Pakistan on Saturday. Fortunately, veteran pacer Southee recovered from injury and returned to the team for yesterday's match; Otherwise the Kiwis would have had to fall into a worse situation.
Williamson was out of the field for almost 6 months with an ACL injury while playing in the IPL last April. He did not play in the first two matches of the World Cup. He returned with a match against Bangladesh on October 13. However, Nazmul Hossain's throw hit Williamson's left thumb directly while taking a run in that match. The scan showed a tear on that finger. Because of this, he fell again. Middle-order batsman Chapman suffered a leg muscle injury; That is why he could not play in the last two matches.
Williamson has already taken batting practice. However, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that whether he will play against Pakistan or not will be decided after monitoring his injury situation.
Fast bowler Ferguson injured his right leg in New Zealand's 5-run loss against Australia. According to the scan report, his injuries are not very serious. The New Zealand Cricket Board hopes that Ferguson will be able to play against Pakistan on Saturday in Bangalore. Neesham's X-ray report is also good. No cracks were found on the wrist.
But Henry is worried. The 31-year-old pacer will undergo an MRI scan on his right hamstring in the next 24 hours. For now, he has also been kept under observation.
Meanwhile, New Zealand have called up Kyle Jamieson as Henry's replacement. The long-bodied pacer is expected to join the team in Bengaluru tomorrow. This was confirmed by New Zealand head coach Gary Steed. Last September, Jamieson played for the Kiwis on a tour of Bangladesh.
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