Xtra Time Web Desk: In what comes as a huge blow for New Zealand, fast bowler Tim Southee is likely to miss the first few matches of the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Southee will undergo surgery on his dislocated thumb on Thursday. He fractured his thumb during BlackCaps final ODI against England on Saturday.
A decision on the senior pace-bowler’s availability for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India will be made early next week once the results of the surgery are known. BlackCaps coach Gary Stead remained hopeful Southee could recover in time to be available for the tournament.
“We’ve got our fingers crossed the surgery goes well for Tim,” Stead said.
He added, “He’ll have some pins or screws inserted in his right thumb and, providing the procedure is a success, it will be a matter of ensuring Tim can tolerate the pain and manage the actual wound when returning to train and play.”
“Our opening game of the World Cup against England is not until Thursday October 5 in Ahmedabad, so that would be our logical target in terms of his availability.
“Tim’s obviously a hugely experienced and important figure in our team and we want to give him every chance to be part of this World Cup campaign.”
The BlackCaps will play two warm-up matches starting with Pakistan in Hyderabad on Friday September 29, followed by a meeting with South Africa in Trivandrum on Monday October 2.