Tim Seifert’s return to domestic one-day cricket lasted just half an hour before a painful blow to his right index finger forced him off the park. X-rays later confirmed a fracture, ruling the wicketkeeper-batter out of New Zealand’s five-match Twenty20 international series against West Indies that starts on Wednesday at Eden Park.
Mitchell Hay, another gloveman who can float up the order, has been drafted in and joined the squad on Monday night. The 24-year-old made his T20I debut less than a year ago and already owns the world record of six dismissals in a single innings.
“We’re all feeling for Tim,” Rob Walter, New Zealand’s head coach, said in a statement. “He’s a key member of this T20 unit given his power at the top of the order and his role as keeper, so he’ll be missed over the next five matches.
“He showed in the recent T20 series’ that he’s building up to top form, so it’s disappointing that that has been halted as we continue to prepare for a pinnacle event.
“We’re hoping Tim’s recovery will be quick and he’ll be back on the park as soon as possible.”
Seifert’s mishap occurred while batting for Northern Districts against Wellington in the Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s 50-over domestic competition. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup only seven months away, any enforced lay-off is awkward, though early indications suggest the keeper should be fit again by the New Year.
Hay’s promotion underlines the depth New Zealand enjoy in the format. “Mitch has shown in his international opportunities so far that he’s a top-quality wicketkeeper batter and is more than capable of contributing at this level,” Walter said. “We’re lucky to be able call on another player of his ability which shows the level of depth we currently have in the T20 format.”
Fixtures
5 Nov – 1st T20I, Auckland
6 Nov – 2nd T20I, Auckland
9 Nov – 3rd T20I, Nelson
11 Nov – 4th T20I, Nelson
13 Nov – 5th T20I, Dunedin
New Zealand squad: Mitchell Santner (capt), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Robinson, Mitch Hay (wk), Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi.
Seifert stays with the group for the opening two matches before beginning rehabilitation in Hamilton. The selectors will reassess the keeping pecking order once the fracture has settled, but for now Hay has a clear run at the gloves—and a chance to press his World Cup claims.
