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New Zealand is hosting Australia in a three-match T20I series. With Australia already clinching the series 2-0, having won both the games, New Zealand have been handed a blow ahead of the third T20I in Auckland. The hosts will miss the service of wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway after he injured his thumb in the second T20I in Auckland on Friday, February 23.
On Saturday, February 24 the New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Devon Conway has been withdrawn from the series with Tim Seifert replacing him in the side. Conway will return to Wellington to see a hand specialist to confirm the nature of the injury in his left thumb.
Moreover, it to be noted that Seifert, who has been called in as Conway’s replacement, was earlier ruled out with a torn abductor. But the 29-year-old cleared a fitness test in Hamilton on February 24, leading to his link up with the national squad in Auckland ahead of the third and final Test. The Head Coach Gary Stead in the release also confirmed Jacob Duffy’s inclusion in the side as cover for bowling option. The Black Caps later also added Chad Bowes as batting cover for Rachin Ravindra.
Speaking of the T20I series underway in New Zealand, while the hosts put up a dominating performance in the opening match in Wellington, they just fell short as Tim David’s last over thriller helped the Aussies to finish the game in their favour. In the second T20I, it was Adam Zampa and the other bowlers who helped the visitors clinch the series and win by 72 runs.
New Zealand’s T20I squad vs Australia:
Finn Allen, Will Young, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Mitchell Santner (C), Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult, Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi, Tim Seifert, Jacob Duffy, Chad Bowes.
David Warner to miss third T20 I vs NZ
Cricket Australia on Saturday, February 24 confirmed that opener David Warner has withdrawn from the side after he faced abductor soreness. The 37-year-old also missed the second T20I against New Zealand. “Warner will require a brief recovery period, which is not expected to affect his availability for the upcoming Indian Premier League leading into the ICC Men’ s T20 World Cup,” Cricket Australia said in their statement.
The third and final T20I of the three-match series will be played on Sunday, February 25 at the Eden Park in Auckland.
