New Zealand (Commonwealth)_New Zealand’s Cricket World Cup campaign has been dealt a significant blow with the news that pacers Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson have been sidelined due to injuries. Henry is currently awaiting the results of a scan on his right hamstring, which he injured during the team’s recent loss to South Africa. Meanwhile, Ferguson was unavailable for the same match due to an Achilles injury sustained in a previous encounter against Australia.
To bolster their bowling resources, New Zealand has called upon Kyle Jamieson, who will join the squad in Bengaluru ahead of a crucial clash against Pakistan. Jamieson had previously been with the squad as cover for Tim Southee earlier in the tournament, and New Zealand coach Gary Stead emphasized the necessity of bringing in cover for the injured pair given the severity of Henry’s injury and the tight turnaround to the upcoming match against Pakistan.
Stead expressed optimism about Jamieson’s readiness to return to India, stating that the 28-year-old had been well-prepared for this opportunity. Jamieson will be considered for immediate inclusion in the New Zealand XI against Pakistan, pending approval from the Event Technical Committee to be included as a replacement player.
Stead further highlighted Jamieson’s recent training and match fitness, noting that he had trained with the team for two full weeks earlier in the tournament and subsequently participated in a Plunket Shield match. This preparation gives the coaching staff confidence that Jamieson will be able to make an immediate impact upon joining the squad.
After a promising start to the tournament with four consecutive victories, New Zealand has faced a downturn with three consecutive defeats. The team’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals now hang in the balance, making the upcoming clash against Pakistan a pivotal moment in their campaign. While New Zealand has one more match against Sri Lanka on November 9th, securing a fifth win sooner rather than later will reduce their reliance on other results to progress in the tournament.
