T20 World Cup 2021: In a bizarre incident, New Zealand’s stumper batsman Devon Conway has sustained a right-hand fracture after he struck his bat out of frustration following his dismissal in the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 1st semi-final against England. The kiwi player is subsequently ruled out of the final of the T20 World Cup against Australia and for the India tour as well which comprise three T20Is and two test matches.
Conway held onto the crease after New Zealand were two down in the initial overs of the match and scored crucial 46 runs before he got dismissed.
New Zealand cricket in a statement said that Conway was taken for scans after he hit his bat out of frustration and it revealed a fracture in the right-hand fifth metacarpal.
“Conway sustained the injury when he struck his bat immediately after being dismissed in semifinal win over England in Abu Dhabi – with an X-ray today confirming a break to his right hand fifth metacarpal,” said New Zealand Cricket in a statement.
“He’s absolutely gutted to be ruled out like this at this time,” head coach Gary Stead said. “Devon is hugely passionate about playing for the BLACKCAPS and no one is more disappointed at the moment than he is – so we’re really trying to rally around him.
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Stead further said that Conway hit the bat out of frustration of getting out before completing the job for Black Caps against England.
“It looked a pretty innocuous reactionary incident on the field, but the blow obviously caught the bat between the glove padding and while it’s not the smartest thing he’s done there’s certainly an element of bad luck in the injury.
New Zealand is not looking to announce any replacement for the star cricketer for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 final and for the T20I series against India. However, they are certainly looking to have one for the test series.
Kane Williamson-led New Zealand will face Aaron Finch-led Australia in the final of the ICC t20 World Cup 2021 on Sunday in Dubai International Stadium.
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