New Zealand bowler Tim Southee doubtful for ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after suffering thumb injury in ODI vs England

Tim Southee sustained a thumb Injury in fourth ODI against England on Friday.

New Zealand are on tour in England for four T20Is and four ODIs. The four-match T20I series ended in a draw as both teams won two games each. The two teams are now playing the four-match ODI series, with England leading 2-1, and the fourth and final ODI is underway at Lord's Stadium. After this series, New Zealand will travel to Bangladesh for three ODIs.

Though the Kiwi squad will be a second-string team led by Lockie Ferguson. After that, New Zealand will be in action in the opening encounter of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on October 5. They will face England in Ahemdabad in the tournament opener. With not much time left before the start of the tournament, New Zealand suffered an injury scare in the fourth ODI against England on Friday.

Kiwi Star Pacer Tim Southee doubtful for upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 after sustaining a thumb injury on Friday

New Zealand, who are desperately looking for a win in the fourth game at Lord's, suffered an injury scare. The veteran pacer, Tim Southee, suffered an injury in the ongoing game. It happened in the 14th over when Southee tried to grab a catch from Joe Root off Ben Lister's bowling. He was in pain, and the medical team came on the field.

He left the ground immediately. However, now the New Zealand Cricket Board has revealed that the pacer will not take further part in the game as the medical team will make further assessments about the injury. New Zealand cricket tweeted, "Tim Southee has left the field having injured his right thumb attempting to take a catch off Ben Lister. The injury required further assessment and he won't to return to the field at this stage."

The pacer was taken for scans, and it confirmed a fracture, which raises questions about his availability for the upcoming World Cup in India. Tim Southee got injured after all-rounder Daryl Mitchell also suffered an injury while taking a catch of Jonny Bairstow. It could be a big setback, as Southee and Mitchell are key players in the squad. With the World Cup coming up, it could be a headache for the management.