New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman Tom Latham is in doubt for the side’s World Cup opening game against Sri Lanka on June 1 after suffering a finger fracture during the third practice match against Australia in Brisbane last week.
Latham had sustained the injury while keeping wickets and was later forced to leave the field for medical attention.
According to stuff.co.nz, the injury is healing and Latham has been cleared to depart to England and Wales with the squad on Sunday, but is doubtful for New Zealand’s two warm-up games and their tournament opener in Cardiff.
New Zealand Cricket selector Gavin Larsen has confirmed that the decision on the 27-year-old’s participation in the warm-up games will be taken close to the fixtures. “Whether he (Latham) takes his place in those warm up games we’ll take a day by day approach on that, which will be down to the medical guys and Gary (Stead) and support staff when they’re over there,” he told Trackside Radio.
With Latham likely to sit out of the two practice matches against India (May 25) and West Indies (May 28), Tom Blundell, the backup wicket-keeper in the Kiwi squad, could make his ODI debut.
NZC have also kept Tim Seifert and BJ Watling on standby. “They’re both ready; Tim has come off the back of his finger injury, that’s OK, and BJ has been going well. We’ve got the different skill sets covered,” Larsen added.
New Zealand’s 15-man squad for the 2019 World Cup:
Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.
