New Zealand will tackle Australia this week without in-form batter Rachin Ravindra, who suffered what medical staff called “a major laceration” to his upper lip and nose during fielding drills at Bay Oval on Tuesday. The 25-year-old slid into the advertising cushions while chasing a ball; he cleared his concussion checks but needed extensive stitches and has been sent home.
Head coach Rob Walter confirmed the decision a few hours after the incident. “We’re all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series,” Walter said. “He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal. Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks’ time.”
Allrounder (bat and ball contributor) Jimmy Neesham has been recalled as cover, fresh from a low-key tri-series outing in Zimbabwe in July. Neesham’s selection keeps some experience in the middle order, though selectors may still hand a debut to top-order prospect Tim Robinson when the series begins on Wednesday.
Ravindra’s absence lengthens an already troubling injury list: captain Mitchell Santner (abdomen), Will O’Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle) and Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) are all unavailable, while Kane Williamson is being rested. That many missing senior players makes the three T20Is – crammed into four days – feel less like a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup and more like a test of squad depth.
Before the mishap Ravindra had been in his best T20I touch, posting scores of 69, 30, 3, 63 and 47 in his last five innings. He stays optimistic, team-mates say, but accepts that fresh stitches and an overseas tour do not mix.
The first ball of the Chappell-Hadlee series is scheduled for 7.10pm local time on Wednesday in Mount Maunganui.
