New Zealand in SA
NZ suffer major Test blow
2012-12-20 11:08
Tim Southee (Getty Images)
|
Cape Town - Fast bowler Tim Southee has been
ruled out of New Zealand's tour of South Africa due to a thumb injury
which is expected to keep him off the field for up to two months, the
country's cricket board said on Thursday.
Southee, who was the
most impressive bowler for New Zealand during their drawn Test series in
Sri Lanka, suffered the injury while diving in the field during a
domestic match.
"Tim Southee has unfortunately been ruled out of
the Test series against South Africa," a New Zealand Cricket (NZC)
statement quoted physiotherapist Paul Close as saying.
"He landed heavily on his thumb while fielding, with scans indicating the ligament has fully ruptured and retracted.
"After consultation with NZC medical staff and a hand specialist it was
decided the best course of action is for him to have surgery."
The right-arm paceman, 24, took eight wickets in the second Test in Sri
Lanka which New Zealand won to level the two-Test series 1-1.
New
Zealand have not yet decided on a replacement for Southee for the tour,
where the visitors will play two Tests, three one-day internationals
and three Twenty20 matches.
"He will commence rehabilitation
immediately following the procedure, with a view to him returning to
cricket during the home summer," Close added.
"The procedure is likely to keep him out of the game for 6-8 weeks."
New Zealand, who
beat a South Africa 'A' side earlier in the week, open their tour with the first T20 International against the Proteas on Friday in Durban. The match will start at 18:00.