THE fourth ODI between England and New Zealand at Lord's saw as many as four New Zealand
players walk off the field injured.
With less than a month to go for the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, New Zealand have
been dealt with multiple injury concerns on Friday, 15 September at Lord's.
Having taken a screamer in the slip cordon to send back Jonny Bairstow, Daryl Mitchell walked
off the field with an injury to his ring finger. While he thankfully returned to even bowl, there
were more concerns for the Blackcaps.
They soon lost opener Finn Allen and veteran pacer Tim Southee also to injuries, the latter's
more worrying of the two.
Allen failed to hang on to a difficult chance off Joe Root in the 12th over, and while making the
one-handed attempt hurt his finger, forcing him off the field.
Two overs later, off Ben Lister, Root was put down again, this time by Southee, who dove across
with both hands but saw the ball hit his thumb and deflect to third man.
New Zealand have issued an update on Southee, stating that the pacer's x-ray confirmed a
dislocation and fractured bone in his right thumb. A timeline for his recovery will only be
established after further assessments. Allen, however, was cleared of any fracture.
New Zealand were handed another blow when Ben Lister also walked off with a hamstring issue
after bowling six overs.
Two of the three players are named in New Zealand's squad for the World Cup while Allen
missed out. The Kiwis are already concerned about Kane Williamson's return after a long layoff
and while he has been named in the World Cup squad, the batter is yet to make a return to
competitive cricket.