New Zealand middle-order batter Bevon Jacobs has been ruled out of the second T20I against South Africa after sustaining an injury to his left knee. Uncapped batter Katene Clarke has been added to the squad as cover.
The 23-year-old suffered the injury while fielding during the opening T20I in Mount Maunganui, where he fell on his left knee and had to leave the field. Subsequent scans confirmed bone bruising on the side of the knee. “Further assessment is required to determine Jacobs’ return-to-play timeline,” New Zealand Cricket stated in an official release.
Clarke earned his call-up following an impressive Super Smash campaign with Northern Districts, where he played a key role in the team’s title-winning run. The 26-year-old right-handed opener finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer, amassing 431 runs in nine innings, including one century against Otago and three half-centuries. He maintained an average of 61.57 along with a strike rate of 171.71.
The second T20I between New Zealand and South Africa is scheduled to take place in Hamilton on Tuesday, March 17. South Africa had earlier taken a 1-0 lead in the series with a seven-wicket win in the opening match.
