Southee’s absence big loss against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BB-McCullum-c1129 – Cricket News Update
New Zealand’s new skipper, wicketkeeper batsman Brendon McCullum, has conceded that losing their front-line pacer http://www.senore.com/Cricket/TG-Southee-c2659 is a big loss ahead of the crucial series against the Proteas. The Kiwis are in South Africa for the 1st T20I, which is scheduled to begin today, on December 21, 2012.
24-year-old Southee, who was on paternity leave and did not accompany the squad to South Africa, was expected to join the team for the 2 Tests and 3 ODIs after the 3-match T20I series. He was, however, playing domestic cricket with the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Northern-Districts-c825 back home, and ruptured the ligaments in his thumb while fielding.
Earlier, team physiotherapist Paul Close revealed that the pacer would have to undergo surgery, which would “keep him out of the game for six to eight weeks”.
With his recovery period effectively ruling him out of the itinerary, his skipper Brendon McCullum confessed that his absence would have a major impact.
"It's a big loss, Tim's been our number one bowler in Test cricket for the last sort of a while and also in one-day cricket as well. He is a real leader of the attack, so it's going to be a huge loss."
31-year-old McCullum, who was recently promoted to captain, will be leading the Black Caps in South Africa as his first assignment since his appointment. Earlier this month, New Zealand Cricket, in a much-maligned move, decided to remove Ross Taylor from captaincy despite his consistent performances for the team.
After offering a public apology to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915, the NZC has stressed the need to move on and focus on the South African tour, where the Kiwis will be up against a formidable line-up, boasting some of the world’s best players.
Southee, who recently took 12 wickets in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JD-Ryder-c1679.
Speaking further on the loss, McCullum said, "Obviously our thoughts are with him because I know he had a keen eye on this series to test himself out against some of the world's best bowlers in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/DW-Steyn-c1409."
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