http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 - Dean Close - Cricket News Update
Ross Taylor will be back to lead the Kiwis in the first Test of the three-match series starting in Dunedin from March 7, the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 team physio Dean Close revealed on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old middle order batsman sustained a calf injury during the one-off Test against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 last month and has been out of action since then. On his road to recovery, Taylor missed the ODI and T20 series against the Zimbabweans,
before missing the limited overs series against South Africa.
In the absence of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129 was leading the side. However, the right-hander impressed the medical staff with the speed of his recovery over the past couple of weeks and the team physio is hopeful that he
will be completely fit ahead of the Test series against the Proteas next week.
"We are pleased with Ross's improvement and he will have fully recovered from the calf injury in time to lead the team against South Africa," said the New Zealand team physio http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dean-c53369 Close speaking to media reporters ahead of his side’s
second ODI against South Africa.
However, the side will be without the services of rookie batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dean-Brownlie-c1349, who failed to recover in time from fractured finger, an injury he had picked up during the ODI series against Zimbabwe last month.
"After discussions with Dean and the medical specialists it is clear he will not have recovered in time for him to be considered for the first Test," said the Kiwi physio.
"With the injured finger being on his left hand he is struggling to grip the bat without pain. He is progressing, and has started hitting balls, but needs more time to fully heal before he's ready for the rigours of international cricket."
The Kiwis are currently playing the Proteas in a three-match ODI series, which the tourists lead 1-0. The three-match Test series will be crucial for the tourists from rankings’ perspective, as a New Zealand whitewash will steer them
to the top of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 team.
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