New Zealand’s Devon Conway leaves the field after picking up an injury during the second Twenty20 international cricket match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on February 23, 2024. (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY / AFP) Photo: MICHAEL BRADLEY
The Black Caps injury list continues to grow after last night's 2-0 Chappell-Hadlee series defeat to Australia.
New Zealand opener Devon Conway was a casualty in the second over after he took a blow to his left thumb while keeping wickets in the second T20 at Eden Park.
The team's medical staff attended to Conway and Finn Allen took over the wicketkeeping duties.
Conway was coming into form after scoring 63 runs in Wellington in the series opener but was unable to build on that performance.
Scans have now cleared the batter of a fracture but he could still face a nervous wait ahead of the first test at the Basin Reserve starting on Thursday in the capital.
New Zealand's top-scorer Glenn Phillips said Conway was an "integral part" of the Black Caps and his presence at the top of the order was missed in the heavy 72-run defeat.
"He always gives a lot of confidence to the guys that are behind him and it was a big loss," Phillips said.
New Zealand were already without powerful hitter Daryl Mitchell who is recovering from an ongoing foot problem and Rachin Ravindra was a late withdrawal last night due to knee soreness.
Paceman Lockie Ferguson (4-12) and Ben Sears (2-27) showed encouraging signs with the white ball, with the ICC Men's T20 World Cup looming.
The bowling performance of the New Zealand quicks helped restrict Australia to a total of 174, while Adam Milne (2-40) chipped in with two wickets on a pitch that offered seamers plenty.
With a reshuffled batting order and with wickets falling at regular intervals, the Black Caps were all out for 102 in just 17 overs in their reply.
New Zealand will look to chase a consolation win at Eden Park tomorrow afternoon in the final T20 of the three-match series.
