Follow UsAfter securing a maiden ODI World Cup berth in New Zealand women’s cricket team, Flora Devonshire will be feeling shattered as she will be returning home without having made her ODI World Cup debut.
The reason for her return is the injury that she picked up while training for New Zealand’s clash against South Africa on October 6. She was found to have suffered a laceration to her left hand, which has potentially ruled her out for 2–3 weeks, as per a report in Cricbuzz.
To replace her, New Zealand have called in Hannah Rowe, an experienced fast bowling all-rounder with prior experience of playing in subcontinent conditions. However, the replacement is not like-for-like as Devonshire was a spin-bowling all-rounder with no ODIs to her kitty; Rowe bowls fast and has 60 ODIs for White Ferns in her bag.
"We're all feeling for Flora. She worked hard to earn her spot in this squad, and it's a real shame her tournament is ending early,” New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer said.
“We're pleased to be able to call up a senior player in Hannah Rowe. Hannah's obviously not a like-for-like replacement for Flora, but she offers an all-round skillset and has experience in subcontinent conditions,” he added.
New Zealand, who are the reigning T20 World Champions, will be looking to lift themselves up after a defeat in their tournament opener against Australia, when they face an even more dejected Proteas Women, who were routed by England.
The New Zealand vs South Africa clash is in Indore, and New Zealand would not have access to Rowe, who is likely to join after October 6.