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[Saba Sports News] The ongoing T20I series between New Zealand Women and England Women has encountered a new twist as the hosts face a setback before the fifth and final T20I clash. New Zealand captain Sophie Devine has been ruled out of the last match due to a quad injury sustained during the fourth T20I, which England won to secure a 3-1 lead in the five-match series.
England’s women’s team is currently touring New Zealand for white-ball cricket and has already clinched the T20I series with one game remaining. Although England won the first two T20Is convincingly, New Zealand fought back in the third match, with Devine playing a crucial role. Despite her impressive performance of 60 off 37 balls and figures of 2/23, earning her the Player of the Match award, England managed to seal the series in the fourth T20I.
The aggravation of Devine’s injury further compounds New Zealand’s challenges, with scans confirming a grade one quad strain requiring a short rehabilitation period, as stated by New Zealand Cricket quoted by ESPNcricinfo.
“Devine had sustained a grade one quad strain which would require a short period of rehabilitation.”
Devine will stay with the squad in Wellington, where the final T20I will be held on March 29, to undergo rehabilitation. Her availability for the upcoming three-match ODI series starting on April 1 will depend on her recovery.
Georgia Plimmer, initially part of the New Zealand A squad, has been called up as Devine’s replacement for the final T20I. New Zealand Women’s head coach Ben Sawyer expressed disappointment over Devine’s injury but remained hopeful for her swift recovery for the ODI series.
“We’re disappointed for Sophie, but the focus is now to make her available for as much of the ODI series as possible. Sophie will be monitored over the next few days, giving us a better idea of her availability before the first game on Monday,” Sawyer said.
Despite losing the T20I series, New Zealand aims to have their captain back for the ODI series, which holds ICC Championship points. Despite the setback, the hosts are determined to bounce back in the final T20I and carry that momentum into the ODI series against England.