Ish Sodhi to Miss T20I Series Against South Africa After Suffering Thumb Fracture

Legspinner Ish Sodhi will take no further part in New Zealand’s ongoing T20I series against South Africa national cricket team after scans confirmed a fractured thumb. The injury occurred during a training session before the opening match in Mount Maunganui and is expected to sideline him for about four weeks.

Sodhi’s absence leaves New Zealand without one of their most experienced T20 bowlers for the remainder of the T20I series against South Africa. The team management has decided against drafting in a replacement, with spin duties expected to be handled by Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie. Fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has joined the squad for the next fixtures in Hamilton and Auckland.

Head coach Rob Walter acknowledged Sodhi’s absence as a setback. “Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand and we know he was looking forward to turning out in front of home fans after the World Cup campaign,” Walter said. “He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series.

“We're confident with Lockie coming in, as well as Mitch and Cole that we have appropriate cover for the next two matches, before the squad transitions for the last two matches.”

For the final matches of the series, Tom Latham, Katene Clarke, Dane Cleaver and Jayden Lennox are set to join the group, with Latham scheduled to assume the captaincy from Santner. New Zealand are looking to recover after being dismissed for 91 in the opening game.