New Zealand star batter Lauren Down has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs against Sri Lanka with a back injury. Blackcaps announced 20-year-old uncapped Izzy Sharp as her replacement for the ODIs. Down got injured during the first ODI in Napier and has not recovered in time to play a part in the rest of the series.
Lauren Down made her ODI debut against West Indies in 2018. She played 35 ODIs and scored 486 runs with a highest score of 90.
Sharp was selected for the T20I series, but she will now join the ODI squad in Nelson on Thursday. Apart from Sharp, Emma Black will also join the squad on Saturday to replace Hannah Rowe who will miss the final game of the series.
"We're all really disappointed for Lauren to be ruled out of the series," New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. "Unfortunately, injuries are part of the game and we wish her a speedy recovery. It does provide an exciting opportunity for Izzy to join the group in Nelson for these last two matches and we're looking forward to welcoming her."
New Zealand are also without Sophie Devine (break), Molly Penfold (injured) and Hayley Jensen (injured) for this series.
New Zealand Women's ODI squad
Suzie Bates (capt), Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Fran Jonas, Jess Kerr, Emma McLeod, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Sharp, Emma Black (game 3 only)
