New Zealand's pace veteran Tim Southee has received medical clearance to rejoin the side in India later this week for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.
He made a significant step in his recovery from surgery on his fractured right thumb. Southee sustained the injury when he dropped Joe Root at gully during the final ODI of the recent series against England at Lord's last Friday. Following the incident, he immediately left the field and was subsequently scheduled for surgery.
In a precautionary measure, the talented pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson will also travel to India this week as cover to train with the World Cup squad. Since he isn't included in the World Cup squad, he won't be participating in the warm-up matches.
New Zealand has warm-up matches against Pakistan scheduled for Friday and South Africa for Monday.
It must be noted that New Zealand reached the final of the 2019 World Cup but narrowly missed out on the title to England due to the controversial "boundary count" rule.
New Zealand’s squad for the World Cup
Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
Earlier today, New Zealand secured their first ODI series win in Bangladesh since 2008 with a seven-wicket victory in their third and final match.
Opener Will Young scored an 80-ball 70 and Henry Nicholls was 50 not out as New Zealand reached its target in 34.5 overs to win the series 2-0 ahead of next month’s Cricket World Cup.
Bangladesh chose to bat first and was dismissed for 171 in 34.3 overs. New Zealand scored 175-3 in reply. Adam Milne, one of the visitors’ two changes, claimed 4-34.
- Tim Southee
