New Zealand opener Georgia Plimmer has been ruled out of the three-ODI series at home against Zimbabwe due to a shoulder injury. Plimmer got injured while training during the T20I series against Zimbabwe which hosts won 3-0.
“Georgia is a key player for us at the top of the order and the energy she brings into the group is something we really value, so it’s a shame to have her miss this next series,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said.
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Who is Georgia Plimmer’s replacement?
Georgia has been replaced by Bella James in the squad. Bella has plenty of experience in domestic cricket but she has played just two ODIs and one T20I so far. From two ODIs she played against Australia, 27-year-old wicketkeeper has 51 runs at a strike rate of 82.25.
“Bella is a great cricketer who’s played nearly 100 List-A matches in her career so far. That experience is extremely valuable, and she’ll fit straight back into the side seamlessly,” Sawyer said, pointing out Bella’s grind in domestic cricket.
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ODI debuts expected for youngsters
The three-ODI series will commence on March 5 in Dunedin. Meanwhile, the Meanwhile, Nensi Patel and Izzy Sharp are set to make their respective debuts in the series. 23-year-old Nensi made her T20I debut in the recently concluded series against Zimbabwe. The off-spinner claimed five wickets at an average of 7.80. 21-year-old Izzy made her debut last year. She has scored 65 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 125. The 21-year-old has been dismissed only once.
New Zealand’s updated ODI squad -
Melie Kerr, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Molly Penfold, Izzy Sharp.