Tim Southee Cleared To Fly To India For ICC World Cup 2023 In A Huge Boost For New Zealand

The 34-year-old New Zealand National Cricket Team right-arm pacer Tim Southee has been cleared to fly to India for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in a massive boost to Kane Williamson & Co.

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, which is the 13th edition of the 50-over Cricket World Cup, is scheduled to be held from October 5 to November 19 in India. A total of 10 teams will take part in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.

India, South Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Bangladesh qualified for the World Cup based on Cricket World Cup Super League standings and were joined by Sri Lanka and the Netherlands, both of whom qualified after the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

The BlackCaps, who were the finalists of the World Cup 2019, will open their campaign against the defending champions England on Thursday, October 5 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Before that, they will play two warm-up matches on September 29 against Pakistan in Hyderabad and against South Africa on October 2 in Thiruvananthapuram.

Massive ‘Tim Southee’ Boost For New Zealand Ahead Of ICC World Cup 2023

The premier pacer Tim Southee broke a bone in his right thumb while fielding in the fourth ODI against England at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on September 15, which was a massive setback for New Zealand. Following the injury, Tim Southee had elected to undergo surgery for a dislocated and fractured thumb.

However, on Tuesday, September 26, NZC took to Twitter to provide a positive update on Tim Southee. It was revealed that the senior pacer has been cleared to fly to India and join the New Zealand squad later this week for the World Cup.

Tim Southee is still progressing in his recovery and as a contingency, pacer Kyle Jamieson has been added to the team. Notably, Kyle Jamieson is not officially a member of the New Zealand squad for the World Cup and he will join the team only for training and not for featuring in any of the matches.

“Tim Southee’s been cleared to join the BLACKCAPS in India later this week as he continues to progress his recovery from surgery on his fractured right thumb. As a contingency, pace bowler Kyle Jamieson will also join the World Cup squad in India this week to train. #CWC23,” New Zealand Cricket said in an official statement released on X.

News | Tim Southee’s been cleared to join the BLACKCAPS in India later this week as he continues to progress his recovery from surgery on his fractured right thumb. As a contingency, pace-bowler Kyle Jamieson will also join the World Cup squad in India this week to train. #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/IWYA0nQjX8

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) September 26, 2023

New Zealand Squad For ICC World Cup 2023: Kane Williamson (c), Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young.

New Zealand schedule for ICC World Cup 2023: 

Thursday, October 5: England v New Zealand (Ahmedabad), 2 pm

Monday, October 9: New Zealand v Netherlands (Hyderabad), 2 pm

Friday, October 13: New Zealand v Bangladesh (Chennai), 2 pm

Wednesday, October 18: New Zealand v Afghanistan (Chennai), 2 pm

Sunday, October 22: India v New Zealand (Dharamsala), 2 pm

Saturday, October 28: Australia v New Zealand (Dharamsala), 10:30 am

Wednesday, November 1: New Zealand v South Africa (Pune), 2 pm

Saturday, November 4: New Zealand v Pakistan (Bengaluru), 10:30 am

Thursday, November 9: New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Bengaluru), 2 pm