New Zealand assured of Santner’s health for World Cup
Mitchell Santner is anticipated to be match and obtainable for the beginning of the World Cup after scans cleared him of great injury to his knee.
Santner jarred his knee whereas fielding throughout New Zealand’s defeat to England on the Ageas Bowl on Sunday and didn’t characteristic in the third ODI at The Oval on Wednesday in consequence.
New Zealand struggled in his absence, with Ish Sodhi – the opposite frontline spinner of their provisional World Cup squad – resting at house. Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra shared spin-bowling duties, and returned mixed figures of 1 for 85 in 10 overs.
“Mitch had a full scan on his knee, which he landed on when he took that catch in the last game at the Ageas Bowl,” Gary Stead, New Zealand’s head coach, stated.
“It’s come back positively, which is good for us. He’s just got quite a bit of swelling around the knee still, which they think is a joint problem. It’s nothing more than that.”
New Zealand’s heavy defeat adopted the sample of the tour, with vast margins of victory and defeat in every of the 4 T20Is and the primary three ODIs.
“All seven games have been a bit like that, haven’t they?” Stead stated. “We were just saying, it would be nice to actually have a close one so we can see both teams under pressure.
“It was disappointing that we did not put our greatest foot ahead tonight however they performed very effectively. Ben Stokes performed an incredible innings.
“Both teams have taken the opportunity to change their line-ups a little bit. With such a congested period of games in a short period of time, we’re certainly mindful of getting people to the World Cup without significant injury or risk.”
One of the few positives for New Zealand of their previous two defeats has been Trent Boult‘s seamless return to worldwide cricket, having most not too long ago represented his nation eventually yr’s T20 World Cup.
“I think he’s taken eight wickets in 17 overs,” Stead stated. “It’s great to have Trent back: he brings a lot of energy and a lot of skill to the top of the order (sic) for us.
“In the 2 video games he is performed, he is confirmed his capacity as a world-class participant to topple England… [but] we have not been in a position to capitalise on these begins.”