Courtesy: NZC
New Zealand Test captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI home series against Pakistan due to a fractured hand during training. The left-handed wicketkeeper batter is now being replaced by Henry Nicholls in the squad, while Michael Bracewell, who took the responsibility of captaining the New Zealand T20I team versus Pakistan, will continue to lead them in the 50-overs cricket in his absence.
Notably, Tom Latham was due to lead the New Zealand ODI team after their regular captain Mitchell Santner didn’t make himself available for the series against Pakistan because of Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments with Mumbai Indians (MI). But due to his unfortunate injury, the BlackCaps have decided to give the leadership role to Michael Bracewell after he secured a 4-1 T20I series win versus Pakistan yesterday.
It's obviously disappointing to lose Tom as captain on the eve of the series: New Zealand head coach
With the non-involvement of Tom Latham in the playing XI for the three ODIs against Pakistan, Mitchell Hay will be replacing him in the wicketkeeping role in all likelihood. Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand, was quoted as saying about the injury to Tom Latham, as per ESPNcricinfo, “It's obviously disappointing to lose Tom as captain on the eve of the series and we wish him a speedy recovery. The side is in safe hands with Michael who's done a great job through the T20I series.”
Moreover, Will Young is set to play only the first ODI of the three-match series against Pakistan before dropping out of the squad ahead of the birth of his first child. Rhys Mariu, boasting an average in excess of 60 in First-class cricket, has earned his maiden call-up in the BlackCaps ODI setup as cover for the aforementioned opening batter
"We wish Will and his wife Elise all the best next week as they await their first child which is such a special and important time for them,” Gary Stead added.
