New Zealand batter Lauren Down will not partake in the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2022, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) reported on Friday. This development brings a setback for the tournament hosts after it was confirmed that she had sustained a fracture in her right thumb.
It was during the fifth One Day International (ODI) against India when Lauren injured her right thumb while taking a catch. She will now go back home for further assessment and medical assistance for recovery.
Bob Carter, the head coach of the White Ferns acknowledged Lauren’s injured and asserted that her absence was a value loss to the side ahead of the tournament.
“Quite simply, the entire squad is absolutely gutted for Lauren,” Carter said.
“She’s a very popular member of the group and it’s fair to say the team was quite emotional when we got the news she was out of the tournament.”
“You saw the impact Lauren had in the recent series against India; she played some really mature innings in the middle order and her fielding was at an exceptional standard.”
“We wish her all the best with her recovery and know she’ll be supporting us throughout the tournament,” he added.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has named 18-year-old batter Georgia Plimmer as Lauren’s replacement for the tournament. The board also named seamer Molly Penfold as a traveling reserve for the tournament.
Both the players will undergo a five-day isolation period before joining the White Ferns squad. The tournament hosts will arrive in Christchurch on Friday for the preparation of the World Cup warm-up games against Pakistan and Australia on February 27 & March 1 respectively.
The tournament will get underway from March 4 when White Ferns take on West Indies W in the opening game at Mount Maunganui.
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