(Reuters) – New Zealand’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup have been dampened by their third consecutive defeat, this time against South Africa. The team is also facing a series of injuries that could further impact their chances.
Pace bowler Matt Henry suffered a right hamstring injury during the 190-run defeat against South Africa and is unlikely to play in the upcoming match against Pakistan on Saturday. To cover for Henry, Kyle Jamieson has been called up from New Zealand and is expected to join the squad on Thursday.
All-rounder Jimmy Neesham is currently dealing with a bruised right wrist after being struck by the ball while bowling in the first innings. Although X-rays showed no broken bones, Neesham may still need to play due to injury concerns over Mark Chapman (calf) and Kane Williamson (thumb), who were both ruled out of the previous game.
Paceman Lockie Ferguson is also nursing a right Achilles injury, but a scan revealed no significant damage. The selectors are hopeful that Ferguson will be available for the match against Pakistan.
All-rounder Daryl Mitchell expressed his concern for injured teammates but also acknowledged the opportunities it presents to others in the squad. “We’re a pretty close group and we back each other and we’ve done it for a long period of time now,” Mitchell said.
New Zealand, who had a perfect start to the tournament by winning their first four matches, have struggled against strong teams like India, Australia, and South Africa. They currently hold the fourth position in the standings, just two points ahead of Pakistan, with the top four teams advancing to the semi-finals.
The heavy defeat to South Africa has also negatively affected New Zealand’s run-rate. Another significant loss to Pakistan could result in the Asian team surpassing them in the standings. Captain Tom Latham’s decision to field first against South Africa, despite their struggles with chasing totals, was surprising.
Despite their recent setbacks, New Zealand remains confident that their World Cup fate is still in their hands. They believe that sticking to their own brand of cricket, their tenacity, and their ability to perform when it matters most will help them secure wins in the remaining matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka to secure a spot in the semi-finals.
Reporting by Ian Ransom in Melbourne; Editing by Lincoln Feast.
