New Zealand veteran leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the five-match T20I series against South Africa. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that Sodhi injured his thumb during a net session at Bay Oval on Saturday ahead of the second T20I.
New Zealand coach on Ish Sodhi's injury
Scans revealed a fracture that will take at least four weeks to heal. New Zealand head coach Rob Walter expressed his disappointment, saying it’s a big blow for the team.
Lockie Ferguson has joined the squad for the second and third T20Is in Hamilton and Auckland, but no other replacement will be added for the next match.
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The second T20I will take place at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Tuesday. South Africa currently leads the five-match series 1-0.
“Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand, and we know he was excited to play in front of home fans after the World Cup,” Walter said. “He’s hugely experienced in T20 cricket and will be a big miss for the rest of the series. But with Lockie coming in, along with Mitch Santner and Cole McConchie, we have enough cover for the next two matches before the squad transitions for the final games.”
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SA vs NZ 1st T20I
In the first T20I, New Zealand were bundled out for just 91 runs in 14.3 overs, with James Neesham top-scoring with 26 off 21 balls, including two fours and a six. Other batters like captain Mitchell Santner (15), Cole McConchie (15), and Bevon Jacobs (10) struggled to make an impact.
South Africa dominated with the ball. 19-year-old Nqobani Mokoena impressed on debut, taking 3 wickets for 26 runs. Gerald Coetzee (2/14), Ottneil Baartman (2/22), and captain Keshav Maharaj (2/25) also picked up key wickets.
Chasing 92, wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen played a calm, unbeaten 45 off 48 balls, including two fours and two sixes. South Africa comfortably chased down the target in 16.4 overs to win by seven wickets, taking a 1-0 lead in the series with four games still to play.