Injury-plagued Kiwis up for Pakistan challenge

BENGALURU, November 3

Matt Henry has been ruled out of the World Cup in India with a torn right hamstring and replaced in the squad by fellow New Zealand paceman Kyle Jamieson.

Henry sustained the injury during Wednesday’s match against South Africa in Pune, with a scan confirming a lower tear which will require up to four weeks’ recovery, the team said today.

“We’re gutted for him,” coach Gary Stead said in a statement. “Matt’s been a crucial part of our ODI side for a long time and to see him ruled out as we reach the business end of this tournament is immensely disappointing.”

The 6’8’ tall Jamieson arrived in Bengaluru late on Thursday and trained with the team later today.

Stead said he would be ready for Saturday’s encounter with Pakistan if required. “We’re fortunate to have a player of the class of Kyle waiting in the wings,” he said. “Kyle’s had to work really hard to return from two separate back injuries and I know he’s really excited about being involved in his first ODI World Cup.”

Question marks remain over the fitness of Jimmy Neesham, who suffered a bruised right wrist after being hit by the ball while bowling in the defeat by South Africa although the player did not break any bones.

Mark Chapman (calf), regular skipper Kane Williamson (thumb) and paceman Lockie Ferguson (Achilles) are nursing injuries but batting all-rounder Daryl Mitchell backed the squad to rise to the challenge.

“We’ve obviously got training this afternoon and a number of guys have got to get through fitness tests and pass them and we probably won’t know till tonight and tomorrow morning how they pull up,” Mitchell told reporters. “But yeah for us, we back everyone within our squad to have success and do a job for the team. We’re all pretty clear on the roles we’re going to play if given the opportunities and we’ll just go out there get stuck in as Kiwis do and hope we come around the right side,” he added. — Reuters