Neesham out of Sri Lanka T20I with hamstring strain
Neesham suffered a grade-one hamstring strain in the Black Caps’ 115-run win over Sri Lanka on Tuesday that sealed a 3-0 ODI series win.
The injury is a cruel blow to Neesham whose return to the New Zealand setup for this series saw him make his first international appearance since the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy.
He enjoyed an excellent series, his 13-ball 47 in the first ODI – which included five sixes in one over – was followed by an innings of 64 in the second ODI in Mount Maunganui. The Wellington all-rounder was also impressive with the ball, collecting six wickets across the three games.
New Zealand seal ODI series 3-0, with centuries from Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls setting up a 115-run win in the final match in Nelson. #NZvSL REPORT ⬇️https://t.co/xi5uVN8VJ0 pic.twitter.com/45juAicbhU
— ICC (@ICC) January 8, 2019
New Zealand physio Vijay Vallabh said: “Jimmy felt some tightness in his right hamstring during the bowling innings and left the field for treatment.
“He’s iced and compressed the injury and will be reassessed in a couple of days.”
Fast bowler Doug Bracewell, who has been part of New Zealand’s ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series, has been called up as Neesham’s replacement.
The one-off T20I against Sri Lanka will take place at Eden Park on Friday.