The New Zealand batter Devon Conway has been ruled out of the upcoming IPL season after undergoing surgery on his left thumb.
Devon Conway Ruled out of IPL 2024
The reigning champions CSK will be having a major setback as Devon Conway will be not playing in the first part of the IPL 2024 season as he needs to be rested for eight weeks at least after his surgery on his left thumb.
The 32-year-old Devon Conway injured his thumb during the 2nd match of the T20I series of Australia’s tour of New Zealand 2024 and missed the first test of the series.
He was ruled out of 3rd T20I and Tim Seifert was named as the replacement for the match. After reviewing medical reports, he was suggested for surgery. New Zealand Cricket has revealed that the batter has to rest for 8 weeks after the surgery.
So, he will be unavailable for most of the tournament, which is set to kickstart on March 22. CSK bought him during the IPL 2022 mega auction where he played seven matches during the season and played a full tournament in the 2023 season.
The player was retained by the franchise before the IPL 2024 auction. He amassed 924 runs in IPL career with a strike rate of 141.28. CSK will be playing in the first match of the IPL 2024 schedule against RCB at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
Nicholas has been bought into the New Zealand squad as the replacement for the first test and will be playing in the second test too. Neil Wagner who announced his retirement from International cricket, will be not included in the second Test as the replacement for injured Will O’Rourke.
O’Rourke has sustained a Hamstring strain and will be rested for two weeks. Ben Sears has been brought into the squad who has an impressive record in FC format bagging 58 wickets in 19 games so far.
Ben Sears is set to make his test debut after playing in the T20Is during the ongoing tour. On this occasion, the head coach Gary Stead said, “Ben’s a young bowler with a quality skill set. He bowls with genuine pace and gets good bounce which is always a great asset in red-ball cricket.”
“We’ve been impressed by his performances for the BLACKCAPS in white ball cricket this summer and believe he can make the step up to the Test arena if called upon.”
New Zealand will be looking for a victory in the second test to level the series. The second test match will be played between March 08 and 12 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.
