On the eve of the three-Test series opener at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, New Zealand pacer Ben Sears got ruled out due to a knee injury. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on October 15 revealed that Sears experiencement pain in his left knee during a training session on Sri Lanka tour.
After scans in New Zealand last week, his departure to India was delayed. He has suffered a meniscus tear and the medical staff hasn't cleared him to play in the Test series.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead is disappointed as Sears is a pacer who can bowl quick and add variety to the pace attack.
“We’re obviously disappointed for Ben who made a strong start to his Test career during the home summer and offers a genuine pace option,” said Stead in a press release by the BlackCaps.
“It remains to be seen how long we’ll be without him for, but we’re hopeful his road to a full recovery will be a short one.”
Sears’ replacement
NZC named 30-year-old Jacob Duffy as his replacement. He is yet to make his Test debut. On his last tour of India in 2023, he conceded 100 runs in an ODI in Indore. However, he bagged the wickets of Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya while India went on to post a mammoth total of 385/9 on the board.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Jacob who has been around Test the squad before. With three Tests ahead of us he has every chance of making his Test debut,” Stead said.
Duffy has played 102 first class games and bagged 299 wickets including 12 five-wicket hauls. Last month, he bagged five wickets in England's County Championship Divison One match for Nottinghamshire against Kent including a four-fer in the second innings.
"Jacob's recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship certainly pushed his place. His performances in white-ball cricket for the BLACKCAPS have always been impressive and we’re confident he'll be able to contribute if called upon,” added the 52-year-old.
However, Sears’ injury may have ensured that Tim Southee gets a place in the side on October 16.
New Zealand’s updated Test squad for India
Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell (wk), Michael Bracewell (1st Test only), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi (2nd and 3rd Test only), Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young
