New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi will miss the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa after sustaining a broken thumb. The injury occurred during training ahead of the opening fixture.
Sodhi was struck while bowling in the lead-up to the first match in Mount Maunganui, and subsequent scans confirmed a fracture that will require four weeks of rehabilitation.
With Lockie Ferguson set to join the squad for the second and third matches in Hamilton and Auckland, the selectors have decided not to name a replacement. Instead, they will rely on Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie to cover the team’s spin options.
Head coach Rob Walter acknowledged the impact of the setback, stating, “Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand and we know he was looking forward to turning out in front of home fans after the World Cup campaign. He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series.
“We’re confident with Lockie coming in, as well as Mitch and Cole that we have appropriate cover for the next two matches, before the squad transitions for the last two matches.”
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Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver, Jayden Lennox and Tom Latham are set to link up with the group for the final two fixtures of the series, with Latham assuming captaincy duties from Santner.
New Zealand suffered a heavy defeat in the opening game, where they were dismissed for 91.
