New Zealand are sweating over the fitness of their leading fast bowlers, Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson, at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. As a result, Kyle Jamieson has been called into the Black Caps squad as cover.
The Kiwis have been dealt a double blow to their hopes of turning things around and securing a spot in the semi-finals, with pacers Henry and Ferguson both sidelined due to injuries.
While Henry is waiting for the results of a scan on his right hamstring hurt in the crushing loss to South Africa, Ferguson was not available for that match due to an Achilles injury sustained against Australia.
Jamieson will now link up with the New Zealand squad in Bengaluru on Thursday (November 2) ahead of the crucial fixture against Pakistan on November 4. Earlier in the tournament, the towering pacer featured in the squad as cover for Tim Southee.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said there was no option but to bring in cover for a pair of injury blows.
“The severity of Matt’s injury, combined with a short turnaround to Pakistan, meant we couldn’t risk being a bowler down for Saturday,” Stead said, as quoted by ICC.
“Matt’s been a world class performer for us in ODI cricket for the past two World Cup cycles so we’ve got our fingers crossed for the scan results later today.”
Stead said Jamieson be in consideration for immediate inclusion in the New Zealand XI against Pakistan if the Kiwis get approval from the Event Technical Committee to pick him as a replacement player.
“Kyle’s on his way over as we speak and we look forward to welcoming him back into the group," Stead added.
“He’ll likely train with us on Friday with a mind to being available for Saturday’s game.
“Kyle was able to train for two full weeks with us earlier in the tournament and has since played a Plunket Shield match - so we’re confident he’ll be able to hit the ground running.”
New Zealand started their World Cup 2023 campaign with four successive victories, but they lost the plot and slumped to three defeats on the trot.
The Black Caps’ hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals are now on a knife’s edge and the match against Pakistan is a crucial one for them.
New Zealand’s last league match is scheduled against Sri Lanka in Bengaluru on November 9.
(With ICC Inputs)
