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New Zealand’s experienced pacer Tim Southee has been cleared to join the World Cup squad. Alongside Southee, his backup Kyle Jamieson will travel with the squad as well if he fails to recover in time for the mega event.
“Tim Southee’s been cleared to join the BLACKCAPS in India later this week as he continues to progress his recovery from surgery on his fractured right thumb. As a contingency, pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson will also join the World Cup squad in India this week to train,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in a statement.
Southee suffered the thumb injury during the fourth and final ODI of the series against England earlier this month. He got injured while taking a catch of Joe Root at wide slip following which he was escorted off the field.
He missed the three-ODI series against Bangladesh which Lockie Ferguson-led side won 2-0. Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson showed his mettle against Bangladesh in the second ODI as he picked up a couple of wickets to help his side bowl the hosts out for 168.
However, Jamieson will not be taking part in New Zealand’s warm-up matches against Pakistan and South Africa on September 29 and October 2 respectively as he is not the part of 15-member squad.
The runner-ups of the previous edition will kickstart their World Cup campaign against defending champions at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on October 5.
Meanwhile, skipper Kane Williamson is facing a race against time to recover before the World Cup opener as he said, “It would be great. Naturally, you want to be back playing when you are fit and ready, sooner rather than later. You hope that ends up being around that World Cup time, but I’m still being very focused on the rehab day-to-day and not wanting those targets to stretch it to a point where you take a backward step.”
Southee’s ODI World Cup record
Southee has played three ODI World Cups so far. He is New Zealand's fourth-highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cup history with 34 wickets from 18 appearances.
New Zealand’s 15-member squad for World Cup: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.
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