The injury concerns before the ICC ODI World Cup caused problems for the teams’ preparation for the big tournament. A few players from different teams have already been ruled out. And some of them are trying to recover on time. In that list, the most experienced Kiwi pacer, Tim Southee has also been added. Tim Southee dislocated his right thumb during the recently concluded England series. Now, he has to go undergo surgery for the same just before the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.
Injury scares for teams before the ODI WC
There are some injury blows for the teams just before the ICC ODI WC 2023. Australia has already ruled out Travis Head for the first half of the WC. S Magala and Anrich Nortje are out of the WC with knee and back injuries respectively. Team India does not know the availability of Axar Patel for the WC. Wanindu Hasaranga is not a sure shot for the WC. Naseem Shah for Pakistan and now Tim Southee’s injury causing trouble for NZ management.
Southee picked up an injury while attempting a catch
Tim Southee sustained an injury while attempting a catch of Joe Root at slip. He immediately left the field and later got to know that he dislocated and fractured his right thumb. Now, he has to go through a surgery process. The team management will assess his condition and take a call on his availability for the WC later.
NZ’s head coach Gary Stead confirms the news
We are crossing our fingers that Tim’s surgery goes well. “Tim will have a few pins or screws implanted in his thumb, and if the procedure works out, the question will be whether he can tolerate the pain and manage the wound when he returns to practice and play.” – ” head coach Gary Stead said.
Stead also said the focus will be to bring Tim Southee back for the opening encounter against England. New Zealand and England will play the tournament opener on October 05 at Ahmedabad.
We won’t play England until Thursday, October 5 in Ahmedabad, so that would be our logical target in terms of his availability. – Stead.
Southee’s experience is vital for the team
The right-arm pacer, Tim Southee has been a crucial member of the New Zealand cricket team over the years. His experience will be vital for the team in a big event like ICC WC 2023. NZ’s coach also talks about Southee’s experience in the team.
Tim is obviously an experienced and important member of our team and we want to give him every chance to be part of this World Cup campaign.”- Stead concluded.
Tim Southee – a seasoned campaigner
The NZ’s pace bowling spearhead has already featured in the last three ICC ODI World Cups for the New Zealand cricket team. If Southee will be fit, it will be his 4th ODI WC along with Kane Williamson. Captain Kane Williamson has also come back from an ACL injury.
Tim Southee is one of the four quicks in the NZ’s WC squad along with Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson.
Southee’s numbers in ODIs:-
Tim Southee has played 157 ODIs till now. He has taken 214 wickets which is the most for any Kiwi pacer in ODIs. He averages 33.6 and has a strike rate of 36.81. Southee’s economy while bowling is 5.48 with the best figures of 7 for 33, which came against England in the ICC ODI WC 2015. He also has 3 fifers to his name in the ODIs.
With the bat, he has scored 726 runs with the highest score of 55.
Southee’s ability with the new ball
Tim Southee is an excellent new ball baller. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways. And his natural outswinger always troubles the opposition batters with the new ball. The New Zealand team will hope that he gets fit on time to play the ODI WC 2023. Otherwise, it will be a big blow for NZ.
New Zealand will now play a 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh before the WC. Five players from the WC squad will feature in the series. And the rest of the players will fly to India for the mega event.
Conclusion
So this is the news coming in from the New Zealand camp. Tim Southee’s participation will be confirmed after team management accesses his condition. Let’s hope for the best.
New Zealand will also play two warm-up games against Pakistan and South Africa on September 29 and October 02 respectively. And then starts their WC campaign on October 05. Let’s see how they do in the WC 2023. They reached the final both times in ODI WC 2015 and 2019 but lost the final to Australia and England (on boundary count).
What are your predictions? Will New Zealand go one step further and win their first-ever ICC ODI World Cup? Comment your predictions below in the comment section.
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