Veteran New Zealand fast bowler, Tim Southee, expressed his race against time to join the Men’s ODI World Cup squad. He remains hopeful about his recovery from a fractured and dislocated thumb, which required surgery.
During an ODI match against current World Cup holders, England, on September 15, Southee suffered a dislocated and fractured right thumb while attempting a catch. He underwent a surgical procedure to insert a plate and screws into his thumb to expedite his recovery and potentially participate in New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.
Reflecting on his journey, Southee remarked, “It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks. It was a tight race to make it here, but I’ve managed to get here, and it’s a fantastic place to be. Playing cricket here is exceptional, especially in a World Cup. The enthusiasm and passion for the sport in this part of the world are unparalleled, generating tremendous excitement within the team.”
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Southee revealed that he has resumed bowling and is gradually increasing the intensity of his bowling sessions, although his thumb remains sensitive. He explained, “This injury is something new for me. I’ve never encountered such an injury before. When something like this happens so close to a major tournament, your mind naturally focuses on that.”
“With the limited time available, we had to calculate the quickest path to recovery, which involved inserting screws and a plate. Everyone involved in my recovery process has been fantastic so far. Now, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the recovery continues as planned, and I’ll be fit in time for the tournament.”
“The area around the plate still feels a bit tender, with some scarring and numbness. It’s about adapting to these sensations and gradually resuming bowling. I haven’t bowled much over the past few weeks, so it’s also about building up my workload while managing my thumb.”
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In 2011, New Zealand was the sole non-Asian team to reach the World Cup semifinals. They finished as runners-up in both the 2015 and 2019 editions, with Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, and Trent Boult forming a consistent trio. Southee expressed the significance of growing alongside Williamson and Boult in the sport.
“Kane and Trent are not just great mates but also players I’ve shared the cricket field with extensively. Our journey began in age-group cricket and continued through domestic matches for Northern Districts. They have become two of New Zealand’s cricketing legends. Over the last decade or so, it has been an incredible experience witnessing their transformation from youngsters into true cricketing greats.”
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