New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee will have to go through surgery on his thumb on Thursday. This puts Southee under doubt if he will be available for the ODI World Cup. He suffered a thumb injury during the fourth ODI match between England and New Zealand at the Lord’s.
The decision on whether he can play in the World Cup next week will be made after the operation. Southee, 34, dislocated and fractured his thumb while fielding during the fourth and final ODI against England on Friday.
Kane Williamson Hopeful For the ODI World Cup Participation
It Southee doesn’t play the ODI World Cup for New Zealand, it will be a huge setback for two times finalists who have consistently wrestled with the scare of injury. Michael Bracewell has already been ruled out of the World Cup, Kane Williamson is still in rehabilitation mode but expected to play the World Cup.
Michael Bracewell who was expected to play a key role for New Zealand in the World Cup still recovering from the Achilles tendon rupture he suffered in June while playing for Worcestershire in the English T20 Blast.
He is expected to be out of action for six to eight months, meaning he will miss the rest of the 2023 season and the ODI World Cup in India in October-November.
“A decision on the senior pace bowler’s availability for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India will be made early next week once the results of the surgery are known,” New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on Wednesday.
In other words, Southee is a doubt for the World Cup, but a decision on his availability won’t be made until next week after he has surgery.
New Zealand’s first World Cup match is against England on October 5, and head coach Gary Stead said that Tim Southee will be given every chance to play in the tournament.
Stead said that they are hoping Southee’s surgery goes well, and that he will have pins or screws inserted in his right thumb. If the surgery is a success, it will be a matter of managing the pain and the wound when Southee returns to training and playing.
Southee could be running against time for his participation in the World Cup. However, it will depend on how he recovers from surgery. Southee is most serious member of Blackcaps at the moment and his presence was extremely vital for the team.
