New Zealand cricket has suffered a major setback as pace bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India due to a knee injury. Already grappling with the delayed arrival of star batter Kane Williamson, the Black Caps now face another challenge ahead of their tough tour. Sears, who impressed during his Test debut in New Zealand’s recent home summer, reported pain in his left knee during training sessions in Sri Lanka.
Upon returning home, scans revealed a meniscus tear, leading to his unfortunate withdrawal from the squad. The recovery timeline for Sears is still uncertain, but the team remains hopeful for his swift return to action. To fill the gap left by Sears, the Black Caps have called up uncapped bowler Jacob Duffy from Otago Volts.
Jacob Duffy, the all-time leading wicket-taker for Otago with 299 First-Class wickets, brings a wealth of experience to the team. Although he has previously represented New Zealand in limited-overs formats, this series offers him the potential opportunity to make his Test debut. Duffy’s recent stint in the County Championship with Nottinghamshire further solidified his selection.
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Black Caps head coach Gary Stead expressed disappointment over Sears’ injury but remains optimistic about Duffy’s inclusion. Stead emphasized the challenges of selecting players during New Zealand’s off-season but highlighted Duffy’s County Championship experience as a key factor in his selection.
Squad News | Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India due to a knee injury and will be replaced by Jacob Duffy 🏏 #INDvNZhttps://t.co/oSjqrzKrSz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 15, 2024
“We’re obviously disappointed for Ben, who made a strong start to his Test career and brings a genuine pace option. We’re hopeful his recovery will be quick. Jacob’s recent form in England was impressive, and he has every chance to make his Test debut in this series. His performances in white-ball cricket have always been solid, and we believe he can contribute if given the chance,” Gary Stead stated.
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Adding to New Zealand’s concerns, Kane Williamson’s arrival in India will be delayed due to a groin strain he sustained during the Sri Lanka series. As a precaution, uncapped batter Mark Chapman has been called up as cover. The series kicks off at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, followed by matches in Pune and Mumbai, where the Black Caps will aim to overcome their early challenges.
