New Zealand fast bowler Ben Sears has been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against West Indies due to an ankle injury. New Zealand Cricket confirmed his withdrawal and named Auckland Aces left-arm fast bowler Ben Lister as his replacement for the five-match series.
The upcoming ODI series between New Zealand and West Indies will begin from July 12 in Guyana. Notably, the Black Caps will aim to continue their strong record in the Caribbean after becoming the first New Zealand team to win an ODI series against the West Indies in 2022.
Ben Sears ruled out of West Indies ODI
Ben Sears was injured before the ODI series against West Indies. Ben Lister will join the team in the Caribbean for a five-match series.
New Zealand Cricket said Ben Sears had been suffering from ankle pain for several weeks. The injury worsened on the final day of the Third Test against England at Trent Bridge, forcing the team management to send him home for treatment.
“Ben Sears had experienced some pain in his ankle since the four-day Test against Ireland in May, which was aggravated on the final day of the third Test against England at Trent Bridge, so a precautionary decision has been taken to send him to New Zealand for further treatment,” New Zealand Cricket said.
Ben Lister joins New Zealand team
Ben Lister has earned another opportunity at international level after replacing the injured Ben Sears in New Zealand’s ODI team. The left-arm fast bowler made his ODI debut against Pakistan in Karachi in 2023 and added variety to the Black Caps pace attack.
Lister has already represented New Zealand in 17 white-ball internationals, taking 17 wickets in ODIs and T20Is. He last played during the ODI series against Bangladesh in April. This bowler remains a part of New Zealand’s plans in limited overs cricket.
The New Zealand team is led by Mitchell Santner and includes experienced players like Michael Bracewell, Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham. Lister will join the squad in Guyana ahead of the series, where he is expected to support fellow fast bowlers Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher and Nathan Smith.
New Zealand missing several key players for West Indies ODI series
New Zealand recently announced its squad for the ODI series against West Indies But will be without several key players. Kyle Jamieson, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke have been rested after a busy schedule this year, while Blair Tickner is unavailable as he prepares to undergo ankle surgery.
Devon Conway is unavailable after the birth of his second child, while Rachin Ravindra will miss the tour after being cleared to play in Major League Cricket.
The ODI series will begin at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, with the first three matches taking place on July 12, July 14 and July 16. The teams will then travel to Barbados, where the final two matches will be played at the Kensington Oval on July 19 and July 21.
New Zealand updated ODI squad against West Indies
Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Christian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matthew Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Haye, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Jayden Lennox, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Lister, Nathan Smith, Will Young
