Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the first match of the New Zealand vs Bangladesh ODI series due to “a small tear in his left hamstring“.
Ross Taylor ruled out of 1st ODI vs Bangladesh
The first match of New Zealand vs Bangladesh is scheduled to be held on Saturday in Dunedin. Taylor sustained the injury while fielding on the final day of the Central Stag’s Plunket Shield victory over the Wellington Firebirds on Sunday at McLean Park in Napier.
Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the opening #NZvBAN ODI with a hamstring injury.
Mark Chapman has been added to the @BLACKCAPS squad for Saturday’s match. pic.twitter.com/dCouxWzdBy
— ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2021
The three-match ODI series is also part of the World Cup Super League. Bangladesh’s task will be cut out as they are yet to win an away ODI against New Zealand.
Gary Stead on Ross Taylor’s injury
Blackcaps coach Gary Stead said the injury was precautionary and was hopeful Taylor would be available for the second two on Tuesday at Hagley Oval.
“It’s a shame for Ross to have this happen on the eve of a series. t’s a small tear, and we’re hopeful after some rest and rehabilitation, we can get him fit for the second game in Christchurch. It’s an exciting time for Mark, who’s come in and performed well recently for the T20 side, so we have full confidence he can do the job if called upon,” the coach said while providing an update on the 36-year-old’s situation.
His absence means New Zealand will be without two of their most senior batters for the opening match of their ICC World Cup Super League campaign, with captain Kane Williamson sitting out the Bangladesh series with an elbow injury.
He also said that Ross Taylor’s cover in the New Zealand team for the first ODI, Mark Chapman will be able to do a good job for the Black Caps, if he gets a chance to play.
Taylor is one of the most capped New Zealand played in ODI cricket with 232 games under his kitty. He has 8574 runs with 21 centuries and 51 half-centuries at an average of 48.44 and the best score of 181*.
He has hit 146 sixes and 711 fours in his career thus far and is the only player in international cricket to appear in more than 100 Tests, 100 ODIs, and 100 T20Is.
New Zealand’s ODI squad against Bangladesh
Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham (c & wk), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Will Young, Mark Chapman