New Zealand had a great start to the ODI World Cup 2023, winning four straight games before dropping their next three. Their regular captain, Kane Williamson, only made one appearance against Bangladesh due to a thumb fracture, and he hasn’t returned yet. With the competition nearing its conclusion, the presence of four additional teammates on the injury list for the talisman hitter is alarming. Due to a calf injury, Mark Chapman was unable to participate in New Zealand’s exciting match against Australia.
After just three overs of bowling, Lockie Ferguson hobbled off the field due to soreness in his right Achilles. On Wednesday, November 1, the Blackcaps played South Africa, and neither player was able to recover in time. When the Proteas thrashed New Zealand by 190 runs in Pune, injuries to Jimmy Neesham and Matt Henry compounded their problems.
Significantly, it was reported that Henry felt tightness in his right hamstring when bowling against South Africa. To find out the severity of the ailment, Henry will get an MRI scan within the next 24 hours. Kyle Jamieson has been called in to provide cover in the interim. Conversely, Neesham suffered a knock to his right wrist after he was struck by a ball during the first innings of bowling.
Jimmy Neesham suffered an injury that caused him to drop to number nine in the batting order, but an X-ray revealed that he had no broken bones, according to NZC.
Jimmy Neesham started the run-chase against South Africa at No. 9, two spaces lower than where he had batted in the previous match against Australia.
ODI World Cup 2023: As New Zealand suffers another loss, the competition for a semifinal position heats up.
After seven games, New Zealand has three victories, three losses, and is now ranked fourth in the ODI World Cup 2023 points standings. Teams outside of the top four now have a chance to contend for a spot in the semi-finals after their crushing loss to South Africa on Wednesday. The Kiwis still have two league matches left, against Sri Lanka on November 9 and Pakistan on November 4. Bengaluru will host both of these games. The run of defeats and several injuries have made New Zealand’s journey to the semifinals much more difficult.