Mitchell Santner, Glenn Phillips, Will O’Rourke and Finn Allen are set to miss New Zealand’s home T20I series against Australia to be played at Bay Oval in October. The Chappell-Hadlee Trophy T20I series kickstarts the home summer for the Kiwis.
While Phillips, O’Rourke and Allen are set to miss the series due to injuries, Santner will require abdominal surgery after participating in the Men’s Hundred in the UK.
Will O’Rourke has been sidelined for three months owing to a stress fracture, which was confirmed based on the reports of his scans. He picked up the injury in the Test series against Zimbabwe earlier this month. He will now undergo a strength and conditioning programme as he starts his recovery process.
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Kiwi Coach Rob Walter Speaks About Team's Injury Concerns
Very possibly, the pacer will miss the upcoming home series against Australia (October 1-4), England (October 18 - November 1) and the West Indies (November 5-22), which will be a large part of their home summer.
New Zealand head coach Rob Walter did not comment on the time required for Santner to recover from his surgery but said that his absence will hurt the team as he is a key member of the white-ball side.
"Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view," With that in mind we expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks' time, and from there we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery, before making a call on the eve of the series” Walter said.
The Kiwis will miss two seasoned T20 players in Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen due to injuries as well. Phillips is still recovering from a groin injury that kept him out of the Zimbabwe series, while Allen will be out of action for three months following a surgery on his right foot.
"It's disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn who have played important batting roles in our T20 set up in recent times. Like in Zimbabwe, their unavailability will present opportunities for others to put their hands up in what's going to be a hugely exciting and important series against Australia” Walter added.
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New Zealand To Host Australia For 3 T20Is In October
Meanwhile, pacer Ben Sears has been cleared for return ahead of the T20I series next month. He has recovered from a side strain and will be available for selection from the start of the home season for the Kiwis. The Kiwis and the Aussies will play a three-match T20I series between October 1-4 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
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