<p>New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India after he failed to recover on the eve of the series opener in Bengaluru. As revealed in a statement from Cricket New Zealand on Tuesday (Oct 15), Sears will not be available for the entire three-match series and will instead be part of the rehabilitation. Sears had experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka.</p>

<h2><strong>Sears ruled out</strong></h2>

<p>"Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans in New Zealand last week," a New Zealand Cricket statement on Tuesday morning said. "His departure to India was delayed after scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, and the first available medical consultation was sought in the hope that he might have been cleared.</p>

<p>"However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/explained-england-west-indies-and-south-africa-womens-t20-world-cup-semifinal-qualification-scenarios-767548">Explained: England, West Indies and South Africa Women's T20 World Cup semifinal qualification scenarios</a></strong></p>

<p>Sears has represented New Zealand in only one Test match which came against Australia in March. He was part of the side during the Sri Lanka series but did not get to play and was part of the bench as the Kiwis lost 2-0. He has also represented New Zealand in 17 T20I matches and was one of the pace options for the side.</p>

<h2><strong>Jacob Duffy roped in</strong></h2>

<p>On the eve of the Test series opener, Jacob Duffy has been drafted into the side and will travel to India in the coming days. He is unlikely to be in the New Zealand side for the first Test match but is expected to be on the bench for the Test matches in Mumbai and Pune respectively. Duffy has presented New Zealand in six ODIs and 14 T20Is and is one of the prominent all-format players in the New Zealand set-up currently.</p>


New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India after he failed to recover on the eve of the series opener in Bengaluru.

New Zealand pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India after he failed to recover on the eve of the series opener in Bengaluru. As revealed in a statement from Cricket New Zealand on Tuesday (Oct 15), Sears will not be available for the entire three-match series and will instead be part of the rehabilitation. Sears had experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka. Sears ruled out "Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent Test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans in New Zealand last week," a New Zealand Cricket statement on Tuesday morning said. "His departure to India was delayed after scans revealed a tear to his meniscus, and the first available medical consultation was sought in the hope that he might have been cleared. "However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course." ALSO READ | Explained: England, West Indies and South Africa Women's T20 World Cup semifinal qualification scenarios Sears has represented New Zealand in only one Test match which came against Australia in March. He was part of the side during the Sri Lanka series but did not get to play and was part of the bench as the Kiwis lost 2-0. He has also represented New Zealand in 17 T20I matches and was one of the pace options for the side. Jacob Duffy roped in On the eve of the Test series opener, Jacob Duffy has been drafted into the side and will travel to India in the coming days. He is unlikely to be in the New Zealand side for the first Test match but is expected to be on the bench for the Test matches in Mumbai and Pune respectively. Duffy has presented New Zealand in six ODIs and 14 T20Is and is one of the prominent all-format players in the New Zealand set-up currently.

IND vs NZ: New Zealand pacer Ben Sears ruled out of three-match Test series; uncapped Jacob Duffy roped in

<p>New Zealand will hand a debut to Wellington starlet Ben Sears as the Blackcaps announced the introduction of the pacer in place of injured Will O'Rourke on Thursday (Mar 7). Sears, who has played 13 T20Is for the national side will have big shoes to fill as New Zealand try to comeback in the two-match Test series. The hosts are currently trailing 1-0 in the series having lost the Wellington Test by 172 runs last week.</p>

<h2><strong>Ben Sears to debut</strong></h2>

<p>"Offers real pace. We saw him clock 150 (kmph) earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh, so excited to see what he's got at test level," Southee said on the eve of the Test. "He's a tall fella. He's got pace, he's got something about him. Obviously, the job Will O'Rourke did in the couple of test matches he played... again another tall guy with a bit of pace and skill about him, so excited to see what Ben has got."</p>

<p>The inclusion of Sears also brings to an end the mini-saga surrounding the unexpected return of Neil Wagner. Skipper Tim Southee had earlier stated that they could welcome Wagner back if needed as they struggle to field a replacement. The veteran speedster had announced his retirement from international cricket after the Wellington Test and was the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the red-ball format.</p>

<p>The hosts had seen O'Rourke ruled out of the second Test after sustaining an injury in the opening Test. Scott Kuggeleijn’s inclusion in the side could be another debate as the plan to include him in the side backfired during the Wellington Test.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-devdutt-padikkal-handed-debut-in-dharamsala-ravichandran-ashwin-takes-guard-in-100th-test-match-697462">IND vs ENG: Devdutt Padikkal handed debut in Dharamsala; Ravichandran Ashwin takes guard in 100th Test match</a></p>

<h2><strong>New Zealand’s quest for WTC final</strong></h2>

<p>Having won the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021, the former champions made a good start to the current cycle before they were brought down by the defending champions. New Zealand’s defeat to Australia in Wellington has seen them surrender the top spot to India and they now sit second. Australia, on the other hand, are third in the WTC standings and will play their 12th Test match of the cycle starting on Friday in Christchurch.</p>


New Zealand will hand a debut to Wellington starlet Ben Sears as the Blackcaps announced the introduction of the pacer in place of injured Will O'Rourke on Thursday (Mar 7).

New Zealand will hand a debut to Wellington starlet Ben Sears as the Blackcaps announced the introduction of the pacer in place of injured Will O'Rourke on Thursday (Mar 7). Sears, who has played 13 T20Is for the national side will have big shoes to fill as New Zealand try to comeback in the two-match Test series. The hosts are currently trailing 1-0 in the series having lost the Wellington Test by 172 runs last week. Ben Sears to debut "Offers real pace. We saw him clock 150 (kmph) earlier in the summer in a T20 against Bangladesh, so excited to see what he's got at test level," Southee said on the eve of the Test. "He's a tall fella. He's got pace, he's got something about him. Obviously, the job Will O'Rourke did in the couple of test matches he played... again another tall guy with a bit of pace and skill about him, so excited to see what Ben has got." The inclusion of Sears also brings to an end the mini-saga surrounding the unexpected return of Neil Wagner. Skipper Tim Southee had earlier stated that they could welcome Wagner back if needed as they struggle to field a replacement. The veteran speedster had announced his retirement from international cricket after the Wellington Test and was the fifth-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the red-ball format. The hosts had seen O'Rourke ruled out of the second Test after sustaining an injury in the opening Test. Scott Kuggeleijn’s inclusion in the side could be another debate as the plan to include him in the side backfired during the Wellington Test. ALSO READ | IND vs ENG: Devdutt Padikkal handed debut in Dharamsala; Ravichandran Ashwin takes guard in 100th Test match New Zealand’s quest for WTC final Having won the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2021, the former champions made a good start to the current cycle before they were brought down by the defending champions. New Zealand’s defeat to Australia in Wellington has seen them surrender the top spot to India and they now sit second. Australia, on the other hand, are third in the WTC standings and will play their 12th Test match of the cycle starting on Friday in Christchurch.

NZ vs AUS: Ben Sears to debut against Australia in Christchurch Test, to replace injured Will O'Rourke

ben-sears

Ben Sears, News on Ben Sears, stories on Ben Sears, articles on Ben Sears, Ben Sears stories at Wion, Ben Sears news, Ben Sears latest news

ben sears

IND vs NZ: New Zealand pacer Ben Sears ruled out of three-match Test series; uncapped Jacob Duffy roped in

NZ vs AUS: Ben Sears to debut against Australia in Christchurch Test, to replace injured Will O'Rourke