Blow to NZ: Opener to miss IND T20Is due to injury

New Zealand’s opening batsman Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the T20Is series against India due to back injury. The opener had also missed the fifth ODI versus India and the team management has added Jimmy Neesham in the squad as his replacement.

Guptill out of IND series, may return for Bangladesh series

New Zealand coach Gary Stead gave an update on Guptill’s injury. He said that unfortunately, Martin hasn’t recovered in time for this Twenty20 series which is very condensed with three games over five days.

He feels that it is a shame as he is obviously a big part of their white-ball sides, but they have
got to look at the big picture and ensure he gets the injury right.

The New Zealand coach is hopeful that the opening batsman will regain fitness for the Bangladesh series which will start in the next week.

Neesham to replace Guptill

Guptill was in poor form in the recent times. After scoring a hundred against Sri Lanka in the first ODI earlier this year, he failed to make any significant contributions at the top of the batting order.

Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the 5th ODI against India at @WestpacStadium with a back injury. He aggravated his lower back while throwing a ball in fielding training yesterday and team physio Vijay Vallabh said he would miss today’s game as a precaution. #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/WCjVNekyg0

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 2, 2019

He featured in four ODIs against India but couldn’t make any impact. Meanwhile James Neesham looked in good touch in the fifth ODI against India and he was in prime form in the recent series against Sri Lanka.

New Zealand’s squad for the three match T20I series against India

New Zealand will be playing three T20Is against India. The hosts have already lost the five match ODI series 4-1.

Also read: Blow to Windies: Skipper Holder suspended for third Test versus England 

New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor