New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia after sustaining a facial injury during a training session at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The incident occurred on Tuesday when Ravindra collided with a boundary hoarding during a fielding drill, resulting in a facial laceration that required stitches.The Black Caps have called up experienced all-rounder Jimmy Neesham as Ravindra’s replacement for the series, which begins on Wednesday.“We’re all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series. He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said.“Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and well-being is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks’ time,” Walter added.Coach Walter expressed confidence in Neesham’s ability to fill the void left by Ravindra’s absence. “We’re lucky to be able to call on Jimmy, who brings all his experience and all-round capabilities. It’s going to be a big night at Bay Oval and I know we’re all looking forward to getting the Chappell-Hadlee underway,” he noted.The New Zealand squad for the series includes Michael Bracewell as captain, along with Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, and Ish Sodhi.The team is hopeful that Ravindra will recover in time for the upcoming England series, scheduled to take place in two weeks.
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