New Zealand’s injury woes continue as Matt Henry left the field while holding his hamstring in the middle of the World Cup 2023 ongoing clash against South Africa.
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Henry had to leave the field midway through his sixth over of the match after experiencing physical discomfort while bowling. He grabbed his right hamstring after sending down the third ball of the over and limped off the field to receive treatment.
Tom Latham summoned Jimmy Neesham to complete the over.
It was later confirmed that Henry was experiencing ‘tightness’ in his right hamstring and would not bowl again in the match.
New Zealand have already been ravaged by multiple injury blows during the tournament. Earlier, a freak thumb fracture to skipper Kane Williamson cut short his return from an ACL injury. Meanwhile, pacer Lockie Ferguson is currently nursing a niggle in his right Achilles tendon, along with all-rounder Mark Chapman, who is out due to a calf injury.
In Henry’s absence, Latham had to get more overs from Neesham and the part-timers, Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra, than he would have wanted to on the flat Gahunje pitch. Between them, they took 1-138 in 14.3 overs.
South Africa amassed 357-4 as Quinton de Kock slammed 114 in 116 balls (10 fours, three sixes), his fourth hundred of the 2023 World Cup. Rassie van der Dussen, too, made 133 in 118 balls (nine fours, five sixes), while David Miller blazed away to a 30-ball 53 (two fours, four sixes). Runs also came from Temba Bavuma (24 in 28) and Heinrich Klaasen (15 not out in seven), while Aiden Markram hit the only ball he faced for six. Tim Southee, playing his first match after recovering from a fractured hand, returned 2-77 from his 10 overs.
In response, New Zealand were 8-1 in three overs as Marco Jansen took out Devon Conway early in the chase.
