Published: Jan 02, 2015, 07:28 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 02, 2015, 07:34 PM (IST)
Jan 2, 2015
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee has sustained an ankle injury and is doubtful for the second Test against Sri Lanka in the Basin Reserve. He, however, will undergo a fitness test before the match starts on January 3. Sri Lanka were bundled out for 138 after New Zealand were dismissed for 441. Following on, Sri Lanka made 407, setting New Zealand a target of 105. New Zealand won the match by eight wickets.
Southee, who claimed six wickets in the eight-wicket win over the tourists in Christchurch, has what skipper Brendon McCullum described as a “slight ankle issue”. “We’ll see how he pulls up in the morning,” McCullum said. Skipper McCullum will look to carry on his good form from the first Test, where he scored 195 form 134 balls.
The Black Caps would not risk Southee who will also be one of their spearhead in the upcoming ICC World Cup 2015, and thus may bring in Doug Bracewell who has already played 18 Tests for his country. “If we think that he’s a risk that is not worth taking, then we won’t take it, but if he thinks he’s OK and we don’t think there’s a major risk there, then Tim will start. Doug Bracewell’s bowling the house down as well and if he does get an opportunity, I’m very confident that he’ll perform too,” McCullum added.
Southee has so far picked up 134 wickets from 38 Tests.
