New Delhi
New Zealand fast bowler Tim Southee has been cleared to join the Kiwi ODI World Cup squad. The pacer had fractured his right thumb in the fourth and final ODI against England last month and flew back home afterwards.
Southee had surgery on his fractured thumb and continues to recover from the injury ahead of the Black Caps' opening match on the first day of the World Cup against England on October 5. If fit to play, it would be Southee's fourth appearance in the World Cup, having previously played in 2011, 2015 and 2019 editions of the quadrennial event.
Southee has been a stalwart of New Zealand cricket since making his debut in 2008. The pacer has played in 157 ODIs, taking 214 wickets with a best of 7/33. He also has batting abilities and has one fifty to his name in 50-over cricket. In ODI World Cups, Southee has 34 wickets to his name in 18 matches.
Southee is not the only injury concern for New Zealand who fell short of winning the World Cup last time against England in the final under dramatic (or unfortunate) circumstances. Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson is also under a cloud of doubt for their campaign opener after suffering an ACL injury in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
Williamson has also been added to the 15-man Kiwi squad and hopes to be fit for the game against England. This will be the fourth appearance for Williamson as well in the World Cup.
Currently, New Zealand are in Bangladesh for the three-match ODI series and are expected to fly to India soon to take part in the warm-up games. Kiwis, like all other teams, play two warm-up games ahead of the World Cup - against Pakistan on September 29 in Hyderabad and South Africa on October 2 in Thiruvananthapuram.
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