In a significant development ahead of their ICC World Cup 2023 encounter against India, New Zealand has received a major boost with the return of star pacer Tim Southee. Southee had missed the team’s opening four games in the tournament due to a fractured thumb but is set to make a comeback on Sunday, October 22.
The regular New Zealand skipper, Kane Williamson, however, remains unavailable for the India game due to a thumb injury. Stand-in skipper
confirmed Southee’s availability during the pre-match press conference in Dharamsala on Saturday.
Williamson misses
Despite the absence of key players like Williamson and Southee for the majority of the tournament, New Zealand has maintained a perfect record in the World Cup, securing four wins in four games and topping the points table. Their impressive victories include thrashing the defending champions, England, in the tournament opener, along with wins against lower-ranked sides like Netherlands, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
In the absence of Williamson, Will Young has been stepping up as a reliable replacement, scoring two consecutive fifties. New Zealand’s bowling unit, led by pacers Trent Boult, Matt Henry, and Lockie Ferguson, has also been in excellent form.
The return of Tim Southee adds depth and experience to the New Zealand pace attack. It will be interesting to see who makes way for Southee in the playing XI or whether the Kiwis opt for a four-man pace attack against India.
The match at Dharamsala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter, as New Zealand faces its most significant challenge in the tournament against a formidable Indian team. Southee’s return injects added excitement into what is already a high-stakes fixture in the ICC World Cup 2023.
As the action unfolds on the cricket field, fans around the world eagerly await a fierce competition between two top-tier cricketing nations in this marquee event.
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