New Zealand paceman Tim Southee faces a race against time to be fit for the World Cup after dislocating and fracturing a bone in his right thumb on Friday. Less than three weeks before the start of the World Cup in India, Southee suffered the injury while dropping a catch off England’s Joe Root in the final ODI of the four-match series.
Root, who was on eight at the time, edged Ben Lister to Southee in the slips.
He immediately looked to be in pain and left the field to go for a scan, failing to return.
“An X-ray has confirmed that Tim Southee dislocated and fractured a bone in his right thumb while attempting to take a catch in the 14th over of the first innings,” said a New Zealand team spokesman.
“A timeline for his recovery will be established tomorrow when he undergoes further assessment.”