NZ vs AUS 2017: Matthew Wade Uncertain To Be Fit For Second ODI
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:28 PM
Australian wicket-keeper batsman Matthew Wade is unsure about making it to the field for second ODI in Chappell-Hadlee series after he was ruled out for the opener due to a back complaint.
The Victorian was earlier appointed as the stand-in captain for Australia in absence of injured Steven Smith but opted out on eve of the match due to a sore back. Batsman Aaron Finch was then handed over the captaincy for the Auckland One Dayer.
Dr John Orchard, Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer, said Wade cannot guarantee his place for the Napier ODI as he was suffering to practice in the morning too ahead of the match. He added healing might just take an extra day and therefore, the call on his return is not finalised.
“Matthew injured his back at the end of Sunday’s training session and, with the short turnaround between then and the start of this match, he was not fit enough for today as, when we checked him out this morning, he was unable to perform at the appropriate level. We will make a decision on his availability for Thursday’s match in Napier in due course but at this stage our expectation is that this is a short-term injury.”
The first ODI between Australia and New Zealand went to the wire, but it was Kane Williamson’s men who held nerve and walked out victorious by six runs.
The match also saw 21-year-old Sam Heazlett making his debut. In the absence of Matthew Wade, it was Peter Handscomb who stood behind the stumps.
In the three-match series, New Zealand leads one nil with the next match being scheduled in on Thursday (February 2) in Napier.