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Big blow for New Zealand as star player ruled out due to injury, 20-year-old left-arm spinner with 17 ODI wickets named replacement

A couple of days ahead of the ODI series at home against Sri Lanka, New Zealand's fast-bowling all-rounder Hayley Jensen picked up an injury while warming up.

Sports Tak

• Mon • 03 Mar 2025

New Zealand's Hayley Jensen bats during the first ODI between New Zealand Women and England Women at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, on February 23, 2021.

Highlights:

Hayley Jensen got injured during warm-up.

Left-arm spinner Fran Jones has been named her replacement.

The ODI series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka will begin on March 4.

New Zealand will be without the services of their pacer-bowling all-rounder Hayley Jensen in the three-ODI series against Sri Lanka at home. Hayley suffered a hip flexor injury during the warm-up ahead of New Zealand's domestic One-Day tournament's (Hallyburton Johnstone Shield competition) final. Her participation in the T20I series is doubtful as well.

"Jensen will be reassessed before the T20I series," head coach Ben Sawyer said on March 3. "Hopefully she can get back in time but it will be up to the physios how she goes. Jonas will fly in tonight and join the team in the morning."

Left-arm spinner Fran Jones has been named Hayley's replacement. The 20-year-old has played 25 ODIs and picked up 17 wickets at an average of 47.70.

The ODI series will commence on March 4 at McLean Park, Napier. The second and third ODI will be played on March 7 and 9 at Saxton Oval, Nelson. The T20I series is scheduled to start on March 14.

Players missing from ODI series

Before Jensen, Bella James was ruled out due to a hamstring injury. Also, veteran all-rounder Sophie Devine has taken a break the game citing her "well-being". Lea Tahuhu, Rosemary Mair and Molly Penfold were not available for selection due to their respective injuries. In addition, Amelia Kerr is playing for Mumbai Indians (MI) in the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025.

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New Zealand's ODI squad for Sri Lanka series -

Maddy Green, Lauren Down, Suzie Bates (c), Brooke Halliday, Georgia Plimmer, Emma McLeod, Bree Illing, Isabella Gaze, Polly Inglis, Eden Carson, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe

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Sri Lanka Women ODI squad

Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Manudi Nanayakkara, Nilakshika Silva, Vishmi Gunarathne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Chethana Vimukthi, Kavisha Dilhari, Rashmika Sewwandi, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Kaushini Nuthyangana (wk), Achini Kulasuriya, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sachini Nisansala, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani

New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI head-to-head

New Zealand have played 13 ODIs against Sri Lanka and lost two. The White Ferns are yet to lose an ODI at their home soil against Sri Lanka.