New Zealand’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024-winning all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been ruled out of the ODI series against India. Kerr tore her left quadricep muscle in the first ODI of the three-ODI series at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
In a media release, New Zealand cricket said that Kerr will head home on October 27 to start her rehabilitation. After she was taken for scans, she will require approximately three weeks to recover.
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer is disappointed that Kerr will miss out on the series.
“We’re really gutted for Melie,” said Sawyer. “Injuries are always a challenging time for a player and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.
“Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is so we’ll certainly miss her but we’re wishing her a speedy recovery.”
The White Ferns have not named a replacement for Kerr in the squad. In addition, she is in doubt for Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She was roped in by Sydney Sixers under platinum-category.
In the series opener, the leg-spinner claimed four wickets for 42 runs from nine overs she bowled. In the run chase, she walked out to bat at no.9 and remained unbeaten for 25 off 23 balls including two fours.
The next ODI of the series will be played on October 27 at the same venue.
Big win in first ODI for India
In the first ODI, India beat T20 World Champions New Zealand by 59 runs. After winning the toss, Smriti Mandhana opted to bat first. No Indian batter scored a half-century but contributions from Shafali Verma (33), Yastika Bhatia (37), Jemimah Rodrigues (35), Tejal Hasabnis (42) and Deepti Sharma (41) helped the hosts post 227 before they were bowled out in the 45th over. Apart from Amelia, Jess Kerr claimed three wickets. Eden Carson bagged a couple of wickets while Suzie Bates got one scalp.
In the run chase, New Zealand kept on losing wickets at regular intervas. Skipper Sophie Devine and Maddy Green were run out. Radha Yadav bagged three wickets whereas Saima Thakor got two. Deepti Sharma and Arundhati Reddy got one wicket each as New Zealand were bowled out for 168 in the 41st over.
