Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Wellington Firebirds pace-bowler Ben Sears could be in line to make his ODI debut after being called up to the West Indies tour to replace Matt Henry, who’s been ruled out with a rib injury.
Henry first experienced pain in his left side during training last week and with the injury failing to improve, the decision was made to replace him in the squad.
Coach Gary Stead said the move was precautionary and about ensuring Henry didn’t aggravate the injury further.
“It’s a shame for Matt to have to return home at this point of the tour,” Stead said.
“Although the injury is not overly serious – we felt there was a significant risk it would become worse through playing.
“With the upcoming ODI series starting on Wednesday and consisting of three games over five days, we saw it as prudent to bring in a fully fit replacement.
“Ben comes fresh from a successful tour with the BLACKCAPS in Europe and while he is yet to play ODI cricket – we believe he’s ready if called upon.
“At 24-years-old he’s an exciting young prospect and we like the pace and skills he possesses.
“Matt is on his way home as we speak and will begin his rehabilitation immediately with an eye to being ready for theODI series in Australia in early September.”
Sears arrives in Jamaica on Sunday local time and will fly with the squad to Barbados on Monday.
The BLACKCAPS depart for the three-game Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in Australia on September 2.
BLACKCAPS squad for West Indies
Kane Williamson (c)
Finn Allen
Trent Boult
Michael Bracewell
Devon Conway
Lockie Ferguson
Martin Guptill
Tom Latham
Daryl Mitchell
Jimmy Neesham
Glenn Phillips
Ben Sears
Mitchell Santner
Ish Sodhi
Tim Southee
*Replacement for Matt Henry
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
