New Zealand opener Devon Conway has been ruled out of the remainder of the five-match ODI series against India after suffering a concussion during a training session in Auckland. Devon Conway sustained the injury following a collision with fast bowler Matt Henry while attempting to take a catch during fielding practice.
India, led by Shubman Gill, took a 1-0 lead after winning the rain-affected series opener by five wickets at Eden Park on Wednesday, November 4. New Zealand were bowled out for just 185 runs in 40.2 overs. Virat Kohli scored 74 runs off 51 balls, guiding India to victory in the revised chase of 143 runs in 32 overs.
Devon Conway Ruled Out of India ODIs After Training Ground Collision
Devon Conway and Henry collided while attempting to complete a catch during fielding practice at Eden Park on Tuesday. Both players underwent immediate medical assessments, following which Devon Conway was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Subsequent examinations confirmed that the wicketkeeper-batter had suffered a concussion. The 35-year-old had already missed the series opener following the initial concussion assessment.
Devon Conway has been one of New Zealand's most dependable white-ball batters in recent years. He has scored more than 1,500 ODI runs at an average of over 40, including five centuries. He will now focus on his recovery ahead of the two-match Test series against India, beginning November 19.
All-rounder Rachin Ravindra has already been ruled out with a right shoulder issue, while middle-order batter Mark Chapman will miss the series because of a hamstring injury.
Nick Kelly Called Up as Matt Henry Cleared for Second ODI Against India
New Zealand have called up left-handed batter Nick Kelly as Devon Conway's replacement for the remaining ODIs. Kelly was initially selected only for the fourth and fifth matches but will join the senior squad in Wellington ahead of Saturday's second ODI, scheduled for November 7 at Wellington Regional Stadium.
Meanwhile, Henry has received medical clearance after being assessed for a concussion following the collision. He is available for selection for the second ODI. Henry had also missed the final three matches of the preceding T20I series against India because of a low-grade tear in his right quadriceps.
Tim Seifert replaced Devon Conway at the top of the order in the opening ODI and scored 38 off 43 balls. Seifert was initially selected for the final two matches before being added to the squad for the first three ODIs as well.
India's bowlers dominated the opening encounter, with Arshdeep Singh taking 4/70, Gurnoor Brar claiming 3/44 and Anshul Kamboj picking up 2/22. Blair Tickner contributed 34 runs from the No. 11 position, including four sixes, but New Zealand could only manage 185.
'Return to Play for Their Domestic Teams' - New Zealand Cricket Issue Injury Update
New Zealand fast bowlers Simon Keene, Ben Lister and Fraser Sheat have been ruled out of the third unofficial Test against India A in Lincoln. Keene suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring tear, while Sheat sustained a left-side injury during the second unofficial Test.
Keene and Sheat had taken six wickets each and were among the joint-highest wicket-takers in the series, alongside Zak Gibson and India's Auqib Nabi. New Zealand Cricket provided an update on the recovery timelines of the injured bowlers.
"Keene and Sheat will both return to play for their domestic teams in the next three-to-four weeks. Lister is working through a return-to-play programme for a right side-strain sustained while training with Auckland," the official New Zealand Cricket release stated.
Auckland batter Dale Phillips has been brought into the New Zealand A setup to replace Kelly. Tim Robinson will also remain with New Zealand A. Zak Gibson and Brett Randell will continue with the developmental team for the third unofficial Test, while Danru Ferns has been added to the bowling attack.
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