AUS vs. NZ, 1st Test: Devon Conway Ruled Out Of Opening Test Against Australia Due To Thumb Injury
New Zealand opener Devon Conway will sit out the opening Test against Australia in Wellington due to a thumb injury he sustained during the recently concluded T20I series . Henry Nicholls has been drafted into the squad, with Will Young expected to take Conway's place at the top of the order.
Conway injured his left thumb while keeping wickets in the second T20I against Auckland on Friday. Initial scans indicated no fracture, but he did not participate in keeping or batting after the blow and was subsequently ruled out of the third match of the series. Subsequent examination revealed significant damage to the thumb.
"It's disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. "He's a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series."
Conway's fitness will undergo further evaluation during the week to ascertain the severity of the injury and determine the final diagnosis. The second Test is scheduled for March 8 in Christchurch. New Zealand had also harbored concerns about Rachin Ravindra's fitness after the all-rounder complained of pain in his left knee and missed the final T20I, but Stead confirmed that the 24-year-old rising talent would be fit to play at Basin Reserve.
In their last Test against South Africa, New Zealand employed four seamers, a decision Stead now reflects on as a mistake. However, considering the greenish hue of the pitch at Basin Reserve, they are likely to contemplate adding Scott Kuggeleijn to the trio of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke.
"I think in hindsight, we probably got that wrong the way that the pitch did behave," Stead said. "We've certainly got Mitch Santner here as that option and we'll certainly consider him as well."
"We don't play Australia that often, which is strange considering that they're just across the Tasman there," Stead said. "But, look, they always set the benchmark and are current world Test champions and they are that for a reason. They're a very good side. But that's our opportunity. And that's for us to go out and I guess show our wares and we're certainly looking forward to the challenge that is ahead."
Conway injured his left thumb while keeping wickets in the second T20I against Auckland on Friday. Initial scans indicated no fracture, but he did not participate in keeping or batting after the blow and was subsequently ruled out of the third match of the series. Subsequent examination revealed significant damage to the thumb.
"It's disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said. "He's a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series."
Conway's fitness will undergo further evaluation during the week to ascertain the severity of the injury and determine the final diagnosis. The second Test is scheduled for March 8 in Christchurch. New Zealand had also harbored concerns about Rachin Ravindra's fitness after the all-rounder complained of pain in his left knee and missed the final T20I, but Stead confirmed that the 24-year-old rising talent would be fit to play at Basin Reserve.
In their last Test against South Africa, New Zealand employed four seamers, a decision Stead now reflects on as a mistake. However, considering the greenish hue of the pitch at Basin Reserve, they are likely to contemplate adding Scott Kuggeleijn to the trio of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, and William O'Rourke.
"I think in hindsight, we probably got that wrong the way that the pitch did behave," Stead said. "We've certainly got Mitch Santner here as that option and we'll certainly consider him as well."
"We don't play Australia that often, which is strange considering that they're just across the Tasman there," Stead said. "But, look, they always set the benchmark and are current world Test champions and they are that for a reason. They're a very good side. But that's our opportunity. And that's for us to go out and I guess show our wares and we're certainly looking forward to the challenge that is ahead."
Next Story