In a major blow to New Zealand women, the star all-rounder Amelia Kerr was ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against India due to an injury on Saturday. The youngster suffered a left quadriceps muscle injury during the first match in Ahmedabad on Wednesday and will return home on Sunday to start her rehabilitation.
New Zealand women's head coach Ben Sawyer confirmed Amelia Kerr's injury and added that they will not add her replacement for the remaining two games against India.
“We’re really gutted for Melie,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said. “Injuries are always a challenging time for a player and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games. Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is so we’ll certainly miss her but we’re wishing her a speedy recovery.”
Amelia's injury absence comes as a big blow to New Zealand's preparations for the second ODI on Sunday. The young all-rounder has been in exceptional form with both bat and ball recently and was arguably the best performer at Narendra Modi Stadium in the first game.
The 24-year-old star has already scored 2107 runs in 64 ODI innings at an average of 43.00 and a strike rate of 83.47 with the help of four centuries. She has also taken 95 ODI wickets at an average of 29.81 and 93 T20I wickets at an amazing average of 19.87.
New Zealand started with Eden Carson and Amelia Kerr as the only two spin options in the first game. Eden Carson is expected to replace Kerr for the second game after impressive show in the recent T20 World Cup.
New Zealand Women's updated ODI squad
Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Lauren Down, Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze (wk), Jess Kerr, Molly Penfold, Eden Carson, Lea Tahuhu, Hannah Rowe, Fran Jonas, Polly Inglis.
