New Delhi: New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the entire three-Test away series against India due to an injury on his left knee. New Zealand Cricket made the announcement a day before the beginning of the series opener in Bengaluru. Preparations are already under full swing and Sears’s injury will be a blow to the Blackcaps who will now be joined by Jacob Duffy, who is uncapped in Tests.
The right arm quick didn’t leave for India with the rest of his teammates after he experienced pain in his left knee during New Zealand’s recent tour of Sri Lanka. He underwent scans last week back home and it turned out to be a tear to his meniscus which prompted medical consultations in hopes that he could be cleared to play.
“However, following the medical advice, the decision was made to rule him out of the series. A plan on the best course of treatment and rehabilitation for the injury will be advised in due course,” said the New Zealand Cricket release.
Squad News | Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against India due to a knee injury and will be replaced by Jacob Duffy 🏏 #INDvNZhttps://t.co/oSjqrzKrSz
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) October 15, 2024
Who is Jacob Duffy?
The uncapped 30-year-old Jacob Duffy will be replacing Sears in the Kiwi squad for India series. The right arm pacer will leave for India on Wednesday morning. Duffy has represented the Blackcaps in six ODIs and 14 T20Is and has picked a total of 22 wickets so far – 11 each in both formats. His bowling average and economy in ODIs are 29.18 and 6.73 respectively while in the T20Is, his average is 28.27 and economy is 7.78.
He represents Otago Volts in first-class cricket and is their current all-time leading wicket-taker. In the 102 first-class outings, he has claimed 299 wickets. He made his T20I debut in 2020 in a game against Pakistan while marking his maiden ODI outing in 2022 in a clash against Ireland.
What did the coach say?
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was disappointed with the news but showed faith in Duffy. “We’re obviously disappointed for Ben who made a strong start to his Test career during the home summer and offers a genuine pace option. It remains to be seen how long we’ll be without him for, but we’re hopeful his road to a full recovery will be a short one,” Stead said in a statement.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Jacob who has been around the squad before. With three Tests ahead of us he has every chance of making his Test debut.” Stead said about Duffy.
Ben Sears experienced pain in his left knee during New Zealand’s tour of Sri Lanka and scans revealed a tear to his meniscus which has ruled him out of India Tests. Jacob Duffy is called in as his replacement. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
