New Zealand batsman Devon Conway has been ruled out of the ICC T20 World Cup final against Australia scheduled on November 14 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. He will also miss the subsequent tour of India with a broken arm.
Incidentally, the southpaw copped up the injury when he struck his bat immediately after being dismissed in last night’s semi-final win over England in Abu Dhabi. Devon Conway underwent an X-ray today confirming a break to his right-hand fifth Metacarpal.
Head coach Gary Stead was devastated with the news of Conway being ruled out of the final. However, the Black Caps head coach stated that the entire team will rally behind Devon Conway to keep him motivated.
“He’s absolutely gutted to be ruled out like this at this time,” Stead said.
“Devon is hugely passionate about playing for the BLACKCAPS and no one is more disappointed at the moment than he is – so we’re really trying to rally around him. It looked a pretty innocuous reactionary incident on the field, but the blow obviously caught the bat between the glove padding and while it’s not the smartest thing he’s done there’s certainly an element of bad luck in the injury.
Devon Conway has been ruled out of the @T20WorldCup Final and following tour to India with a broken right hand. Conway sustained the injury when he struck his bat immediately after being dismissed in last night’s semi-final. More Info | https://t.co/LCMOTJqmqc #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/JIm9o6Rhxe
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 11, 2021
“Devon is a great team-man and a very popular member of the side so we’re all feeling for him. He’s determined to support the team in anyway he can for the remainder of the tour before he returns home to recover,” Gary Stead added.
New Zealand to not opt for Devon Conway’s replacement
Meanwhile, New Zealand has decided not to call any replacement with only one game to go for the tournament. Glenn Phillips is likely to don the wicket-keeper’s gloves in the final against Australia.
However, the Kiwis are contemplating their options for a replacement for the two-match Test series against India, confirmed Gary Stead.
“Due to the timelines we won’t be bringing in a replacement player for this World Cup or next week’s T20 series against India, but are working through our options for the Test series later this month,” he concluded.
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