Tom Latham to miss India T20Is with finger fracture
The Blackcaps will lock horns with the Men in Blue for a five-match T20I series, slated to begin in Auckland on January 24 followed by three ODIs and two Tests. Prior to the home series against India, New Zealand team has to deal with a big blow as wicket-keeper batsman Tom Latham will be out of action for a month. The 27-year-old Latham fractured his little finger during the recently-concluded Test series against Australia. He will take minimum four weeks to recover, which means he will be unavailable for the upcoming India T20Is. He is most likely to return during the three one-day internationals that follow.
Latham sustained his injury on the fourth day at the SCG while claiming the catch of Marnus Labuschagne during the third and final Test between Australia and New Zealand in Sydney.
New Zealand Cricket said in a statement, “An X-ray has confirmed a fractured finger for Tom Latham. He will require approximately four weeks of rehabilitation after the fracture to his right pinky finger”.
Latham is an addition to the long line of Kiwis’ injury list that already includes speedsters namely, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry. While Trent Boult has been resting because of his right-hand injury, fast bowler Ferguson sustained a calf strain on the day of the series opener in Perth. Moreover, Matt Henry broke his thumb in the third Test against Australia.
Boult is still doubtful about the home series against the hosts, as he’s got his right hand fractured when he was struck on the gloves by a Mitchell Starc delivery.
Black Caps coach provided an update on Boult’s condition and said, "He'll be touch-and-go to be available for the Indian T20 series later this month and we'll continue to monitor him closely over the next few weeks”.
Meanwhile, other NZ players including Kane Williamson, Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner who were struck down with Influenza A, are slowing returning to their health and regaining their strength and fitness.
