Tim Southee, a pacer for New Zealand, will have surgery on the dislocated and broken thumb he suffered during the team’s final ODI against England on Saturday. After deciding to have surgery, fast bowler Southee’s availability for the Cricket World Cup 2023 will be decided next week. After Southee suffered the injury in the final ODI on Saturday at Lord’s, New Zealand Cricket announced the news on Wednesday afternoon. The 34-year-old’sselectionwill likely be decided by doctors after assessing the success of the procedure.
“A decision on the senior pace-bowler’s availability for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in India will be made early next week once the results of the surgery are known,” New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said in an official statement.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead remained hopeful Southee could recover in time to be available for the tournament.