New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson has been called up as cover for Matt Henry, who sustained a hamstring injury during the game against South Africa on Wednesday. It is reported that Jamieson will reach Bangalore late on Thursday ahead of their crucial game against Pakistan.
Matt Henry pulled his right hamstring during the crucial ODI World Cup match against Proteas in Pune. After bowling three balls in his sixth over, the seamer seemed uncomfortable. He walked off the field and took no further part in the rest of the innings.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead revealed that Matt Henry is ruled out of the clash against Pakistan due to the short break between the game and expressed his disappointment at Henry missing out on the clash, with being an experienced player in the New Zealand bowling and hopeful of his scan result coming in the team’s favour.
“The severity of Matt’s injury, combined with a short turnaround to Pakistan, meant we couldn’t risk being a bowler down for Saturday, Matt’s been a world-class performer for us in ODI cricket for the past two World Cup cycles so we’ve got our fingers crossed for the scan results later today,” Gary Stead said.
After Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry has been the second-most productive bowler for New Zealand, picking up 11 wickets in the marquee event and could be a crucial miss for the Blackcaps against Pakistan at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.
We’re Confident Kyle Jamieson Be Able To Hit The Ground Running – Gary Stead
Gary Stead said that New Zealand all-rounder Kyle Jamieson is on his way to India to join the World Cup squad in Bangalore. He disclosed that he will train with the team on Friday before their match against Pakistan on Saturday, and Stead expressed confidence that Jamieson would make an immediate impact having played some domestic games in his home country.
“Kyle’s on his way over as we speak and we look forward to welcoming him back into the group. He’ll likely train with us on Friday with a mind to being available for Saturday’s game, Kyle was able to train for two full weeks with us earlier in the tournament and has since played a Plunket Shield match – so we’re confident he’ll be able to hit the ground running,” Gary Stead added.
James Neesham is well after taking a hit to the finger, but Lockie Ferguson is recuperating from an Achilles injury, Jamieson has taken 14 wickets in 13 One-Day Internationals and can also be a handy lower-order batter for the side.