http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Zimbabwe-c3045 – Cricket News Update
New Zealand’s injury marred pacer, Tim Southee, has been ruled out of the national squad, which is due to face the Zimbabwe hosts in the upcoming away series, which kicks off with the opening 2-match Twenty20 (T20) series on October 15, 2011 at Harare.
However, New Zealand’s National Selection Manager, Kim Littlejohn, is hopeful that the player might have enough time to recover for the one-off Test match on November 1.
While preparing for his participation in the recent Champions League (CL) T20 competition, Southee suffered cartilage damage to his knee, which according to Littlejohn has improved till now but not fully recovered.
“The latest scans show that the knee injury has improved but the injury has not completely gone away,” Littlejohn said.
“We are taking a long-term view with Tim’s injury and have opted to extend his recovery period rather than rush him back too soon. He is expected to be fully fit and available for December’s Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746,” the manager added.
22-year-old, Northland born Southee, premiered his first ever appearance for the New Zealand national squad in a T20 match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in February 2008 and that same year, the pacer marked his Test and One Day International (ODI) debuts as well.
Till now, the youngster has served the Kiwis in 13 Tests (with 35 wickets), 51 ODIs (70 wickets) and 19 T20s (22 wickets).
As for the upcoming assignment, New Zealand’s tour of Zimbabwe kicks off at the Harare Sports Club, on Saturday, where the two sides will lock horns in the tour opening T20 match, followed by the second fixture on October 17.
The Kiwis’ visit will also feature a 3-match ODI series, spanning between October 20, and 25, followed by the only Test bout of the tour on November 1, 2011.
New Zealand last had its international outing during this year’s International Cricket Council (http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 in December 2010.
With Southee out of the team’s limited overs roster, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JS-Patel-c1747, Graeme
Aldridge, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/BJ-Watling-c1172, and Reece Young.
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