New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham has been ruled out of the first Test against India in Kanpur due to a rib injury. But since he is expected to be fit for the second Test, which begins on September 30, New Zealand Cricket have opted not to name any replacements.
Neesham picked up the injury during training on last Thursday, and it had affected his participation in the warm-up fixture against Mumbai in Delhi. He didn’t bat in both innings and bowled just five overs.
Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, expected Neesham to return to full fitness ahead of the second Test in Kolkata. “Jimmy was struck in the nets and has been in discomfort the last few days,” he said. “It will take a few days for the bruising to go away, but it’s very much a short-term injury.”
The injury comes as yet another setback for Neesham, who hasn’t played international cricket since the Brisbane Test against Australia last November. He is the second player from the squad to have fitness issues after Tim Southee had to return home with a ligament strain on his left ankle.
Squad for first Test: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling. (ESPNcricinfo)
