New Delhi .The visiting team has suffered a major setback in the ongoing ODI series between India and New Zealand. New Zealand's opening batsman Devon Conway has been ruled out of the entire ODI series due to injury. In his place, left-handed batsman Nick Kelly has been included in the team. New Zealand Cricket informed about this change on Friday. Conway could not take the field even in the first ODI match. He suffered a concussion from an injury he suffered during a practice session last week.
The second match of the five-match ODI series between India and New Zealand is to be played in Wellington on Saturday, November 7. Before this match, New Zealand had to make changes in its batting. Conway's absence is considered important for the team, as he takes the responsibility of opening the innings at the top of the order.
In fact, during training last week, Conway had a collision with his teammate Matt Henry. In this incident, both the players had to face injury related problems. Conway then suffered a concussion and was not available for the first ODI played in Auckland. In view of the medical condition, it has been decided to keep him out of the entire ODI series.
However, it is a matter of relief for New Zealand that Matt Henry has passed his concussion test. In such a situation, he will be included among the players available for selection for the second ODI. This is positive news for the team management, as there is availability of an experienced player in the bowling attack before the important matches of the series.
Nick Kelly, who was included in the team in place of Conway, will join the rest of the team in Wellington on Friday. He will be available for selection from the second ODI. Left-handed batsman Kelly has got this opportunity at a time when New Zealand has had to change the batting combination for the remaining matches of the series.
35-year-old Devon Conway's priority now is to be fit for the Test series starting after the ODI series. New Zealand has to play a two-match Test series in Wellington from 19 November. These matches will be organized under the ICC World Test Championship. Conway will try to make a full recovery in time and return to the Test team.
New Zealand's troubles are not limited to Conway alone. The team is already playing without all-rounders Rachin Ravindra and Mark Chapman. Both these players were out even before the start of the ODI series. In such a situation, the challenge for the team is to prepare a balanced combination with the available players.
Mitchell Santner will captain the New Zealand team for the first three matches. The squad at this stage includes Michael Bracewell, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young and Blair Tickner.
Mitchell Santner will also be the captain in the team announced for the fourth and fifth ODIs. Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Christian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Lockie Ferguson, Mitch Hay, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert, Blair Tickner and Will Young have been included in this team.
The first match of the series was played in Auckland on 4 November, in which India won by five wickets via DLS method. The second ODI will be played in Wellington on 7 November, the third in Hamilton on 10 November, while the fourth and fifth matches will be played in Mount Maunganui on 13 and 15 November respectively. In the absence of Conway, it will be challenging for New Zealand to make a comeback in the series and perform better in the upcoming matches.