Huge blow to New Zealand as star player ruled out of T20I series vs Australia hours before series opener, 35-year-old all-rounder returns

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Huge blow to New Zealand as star player ruled out of T20I series vs Australia hours before series opener, 35-year-old all-rounder returns
Rachin Ravindra and Ish Sodhi of New Zealand (L-R) react as they walk out prior to game five of the Men's T20I series against Pakistan at Hagley Oval on January 21, 2024 in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Story Highlights:

Rachin Ravindra required stitches after colliding with boundary hoarding during fielding practice.

Jimmy Neesham has linked up with the squad for the T20I series vs Australia.

New Zealand's batting all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the three-T20I series against Australia after colliding with a perimeter boundary hoarding ruing fielding practice on September 30. Ravindra faced facial laceration and required stitches. 

Head coach Rob Walter is disappointed to lose out on Ravindra’s services as New Zealand are already facing Australia with a depleted squad. He hopes that the young opener recovers and returns to the side for T20I series against New Zealand which begins on October 18. 

“We’re all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series,” Walter said.

 

 

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“He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal.

 

 

“Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks’ time.”

 

 

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Old guard Jimmy Neesham has replaced Ravindra in the squad. Neesham recently featured in the T20I tri-series on Zimbabwe soil as well. 

“We’re lucky to be able to call on Jimmy who brings all his experience and all-round capabilities,” Walter said.

 

 

“It’s going to be a big night at Bay Oval and I know we’re all looking forward to getting the Chappell-Hadlee underway.”

 

 

The T20I series begins on October 1 at Mount Maunganui. All three T20Is will be played at the same venue. 

New Zealand’s updated squad for T20I series vs Australia -

Tim Seifert (wk), Devon Conway, Tim Robinson, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Bevon Jacobs, Michael Bracewell (c), Kyle Jamieson, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy, Zakary Foulkes, Jimmy Neesham, Ben Sears.