Dеspitе his continuеd rеcupеration following surgеry on a fracturеd right thumb, Nеw Zеaland’s еxpеriеncеd fast bowlеr Tim Southее has bееn clеarеd to join thе national squad for thе 2023 ODI World Cup. His participation boosts Nеw Zеaland’s prospеcts as thеy prеparе to facе England in their tournament opеnеr on Octobеr 5.
The 34-year-old suffered the thumb injury while attempting a catch during New Zealand’s fourth ODI against England earlier this month at Lord’s. Following the event, he underwent surgery to repair the dislocated finger. Southee will now play in his fourth ODI World Cup, having previously represented New Zealand in 2011, 2015, and 2019. This is also his sixth international trip to India, a country he knows well from his vast cricketing career.
In addition, fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will be in New Zealand to offer backup for the squad. While Jamieson is not technically on the 15-man World Cup roster, his participation gives depth to the team’s bowling resources. He was recently in the team that defeated Bangladesh 2-0 in a three-match series leading up to the event.
New Zealand’s World Cup campaign has been hampered by injury issues, most notably Kane Williamson’s recovery from a ruptured ACL sustained during the Indian Premier League 2023. The skipper’s selection to the World Cup team demonstrates his dedication, but it is unclear if he will be match-ready when the tournament begins next week.
The second batch of the Kiwi players and support personnel is set to leave Christchurch for India on Wednesday. Meanwhile, a select group of players from Bangladesh will join the squad, bringing depth and variety to the side.
New Zealand has scheduled two warm-up matches before the start of the World Cup to fine-tune its preparations. They will play Pakistan in Hyderabad on September 29 and South Africa in Thiruvananthapuram on October 2, offering vital match practise ahead of their highly anticipated World Cup campaign, which begins in Ahmedabad.
Southее’s participation and thе prеsеncе of Jamiеson providе Nеw Zеaland a big boost as thеy attеmpt to win thе ODI sport Cup, which would bе a historic fеat in thе sport of crickеt. As thе еvеnt approachеs, fans all across thе world arе gеtting еxcitеd.
