Injury Updates and Squad Considerations: Conway is Doubtful for 1st Test
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Devon Conway’s participation in the opening Test against Australia remains uncertain as he seeks consultation with a hand specialist following an injury to his left thumb during the second T20I at Eden Park.
In the match’s second over, Adam Milne struck Conway with a stinging ball down the leg side, striking him. After receiving some quick medical attention on the field, he decided not to go on, and Finn Allen took over the gloves for the remainder of the inning.
Conway did not bat during New Zealand‘s pursuit and instead went to the hospital for x-rays. Despite being ruled out of the final Twenty20 international match, he was cleared of “an obvious fracture to his left thumb” and went back to Wellington on Saturday for additional testing.
Coach Gary Stead of New Zealand stated, “There is a little bit of concern because we are not 100% sure exactly how it’s going to respond over the next three or four days.” “(We) still have some time, and in the end, I believe it will depend on how he manages his pain and what he can do to ensure that he is comfortable at the crease.
It’s still not quite clear. He had some weird issues last night; his thumb was clicking a little bit.However, it’s excellent that he hasn’t been granted a break as of yet. We’ll learn more tomorrow when he sees a hand specialist in Wellington.
Rachin Ravindra’s prognosis improved after he missed the second Twenty20 International due to knee discomfort. He is still in the team, but given the focus on the Test series, it seems doubtful that he will be put at risk in Sunday’s game.
Stead remarked, “Not as much concern around Rachin.” “His left knee is a little bit of a pain. We are extremely sure that he will still progress well enough to be ready for the first Test match, even though we think it’s doubtful that he will play tomorrow with the Test matches in mind. He’s improved slightly from yesterday, which is exactly what we want to see—encouraging signals.”
Conway is expected to bat first during the Test series, while Ravindra, who just scored his first Test century of 240 against South Africa, is also a lock for the starting XI.
Will Young would be Conway’s most likely replacement at the top of the order if he is ruled out. Young can play a number of positions and is the Test team’s reserve batter. He replaced Daryl Mitchell in the middle order during the South Africa match in Hamilton, but he is also capable of opening the batting. Conway leaves the Test team because Tom Blundell is the rightful owner of that position.
For the last game of the series, Tim Seifert, who was previously ruled out of the T20I series due to an abductor injury, has been summoned back into the team to replace Conway, with Jacob Duffy being added as fast-bowling cover. Following the end of today’s Ford Trophy final in Christchurch, one extra batter will be added.
Both Mitchell (foot) and Matt Henry (hip) are healing nicely ahead of the opening Test. “I’m quite sure they’ll be ready to go,” Stead stated.
After missing the T20Is, Kane Williamson’s partner Sarah gave birth to their third child, a girl, earlier this week, guaranteeing his availability for the Test series.
Regarding the T20I series, Stead wasn’t too worried about New Zealand trailing 2-0 because the first game was decided by the final delivery and they had to rearrange the batting order in Auckland due to Conway’s injury.
“T20 cricket is pretty fickle, and that first game could have easily gone the other way,” he stated. “You get over things really quickly. There are still a lot of positive things that have emerged from the previous two games, but we want to make sure that we apply the lessons we have learned.
“I felt Ben Sears, a young man just starting out in his career, was amazing. In the two games, Lockie Ferguson has bowled exceptionally effectively and seems to be returning to his peak, which is truly encouraging to witness.
“We can be considered reasonable. Yes, we didn’t obtain the desired outcome last night, but a number of players will return to our team around the World Cup, which will significantly improve our experience level.”
