Dubai, Nov 12 (UNI) New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman Devon Conway has been ruled out of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup final against Australia and the subsequent T20I series against India due to a broken hand.
Conway will be unavailable to play for a few days after suffering an injury in semi-final game against England. His focus will be on being fit for the two-Test series against India. Conway had struck his bat immediately after being dismissed during the semi-final match, after which the scans confirmed a fracture in the fifth finger of his right hand.
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said, "He's absolutely gutted to be ruled out like this at this time. Devon is hugely passionate about playing for the Black Caps 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."
Conway played six matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup and has scored 129 runs at a strike rate of 108.40. He was instrumental in the New Zealand's thrilling win over England in the first semi-final. Conway smashed 46 runs off 38 deliveries and shared a crucial 82-run partnership for the third wicket with Daryl Mitchell, who is adjudged ‘Player of the match’.
New Zealand will take on Australia in the final on Sunday.
UNI BAV GK