Devon Conway, the southpaw opening batsman from New Zealand, faces a setback as he won’t be able to participate in the first Test against Australia. This unfortunate development stems from a persistent thumb injury he incurred during the T20I series.
Devon Conway, the New Zealand opener, will miss the first Test of the upcoming two-match series against Australia, set to begin on Thursday, February 29, due to a thumb injury sustained during the second T20I on February 23 while keeping wickets. Henry Nicholls has been named as his replacement for the Test series.
Conway, who did not bat or keep wickets after the injury, underwent initial scans that did not reveal any fractures. However, subsequent examinations disclosed the thumb injury. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman will undergo a medical assessment this week to determine the appropriate treatment and recovery period.
Expressing disappointment, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead highlighted Conway’s class as a player and lamented his absence on the eve of a crucial Test match against Australia.
Gary Stead said, “It’s disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match. He’s a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series.”
Devon Conway holds a crucial role in the Kiwi team, showcasing exceptional batting skills and a repertoire of well-executed shots from the coaching manual. His impactful Test debut against England, where he scored a double hundred, solidified his place in the Blackcaps squad.
Adding to the team’s challenges, Rachin Ravindra, another key opener, had to miss the third T20I due to a knee injury. However, Gary Stead has reassured fans that the young all-rounder has successfully recovered and will be back in action against Australia at Basin Reserve.
In the absence of Conway, New Zealand Cricket has confirmed the inclusion of Henry Nicholls, another experienced left-handed batter, for the first Test. Despite the setbacks, the Kiwis are gearing up for the upcoming matches with a resilient and determined squad.
“It’s nice to have a player of Henry’s calibre to call on. He has plenty of Test experience and covers a number of positions in our batting order,” said Gary Stead.
