The Black Caps have received a major injury scare just a couple of weeks ahead of the start of the ICC World Cup 2019 which is slated to be held in England and Wales from 30th May The final of the tournament will be played on 14th July at the iconic Lord’s Stadium. The left-handed stylish batsman Tom Latham who also plays the role of a wicket-keeper fractured a finger and is currently nursing from the injury.
The southpaw injured his left middle finger during the last match of the recently concluded three-match ODI series against Australia in the lead up to the World Cup. However, despite the injury, he has been cleared to take part in the upcoming showpiece event and is likely to travel with the team when they fly to England. The whole team is expected to leave on Sunday. As per reports, it is learnt that the injury of Tom Latham is in the recovery process and should heal by the time the quadrennial event starts.
Meanwhile Kiwis chief selectors Gavin Larsen stated that the participation of Tom Latham in the warm-up matches remains subject to his fitness on matchdays. He revealed that a decision will be taken on the match days. In all likelihood, Tom Latham is expected to play a major role for New Zealand as they hope to win their maiden World Cup.
“Whether he takes his place in those warmup games we’ll take a day by day approach on that, which will be down to the medical guys and Gary [Stead] and support staff when they’re over there,” he was quoted as saying by the Trackside Radio.
If Tom Latham fails to recover for the warm-up matches against Windies and India, it is expected that Tom Blundell might make his ODI debut who is currently the backup wicketkeeper for New Zealand. After the injury to Latham, the New Zealand Cricket Board has also employed Tim Siefert and BJ Watling on the standby list.
“They’re both ready; Tim has come off the back of his finger injury, that’s OK, and BJ has been going well. We’ve got the different skill sets covered,” Gavin Larsen said.