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New Zealand's hopes for the upcoming three-Test series against India have taken a hit with the news that right-arm pacer Ben Sears has been ruled out due to a knee injury. The opening Test is set to begin in Bengaluru on Wednesday, but Sears's participation was thrown into doubt after he experienced discomfort in his left knee during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Subsequent scans confirmed a tear to his meniscus, leading to medical consultations in hopes of a potential recovery in time for the Indian tour.
Despite the initial optimism, the medical advice ultimately determined that Sears would be unable to participate in the series. New Zealand Cricket announced the decision, stating that a plan for his treatment and rehabilitation would be provided in due course. This news is a blow to the Kiwis, as Sears had made a strong start to his Test career during the home summer and was expected to be a crucial part of their bowling attack.
In Sears's absence, New Zealand has called upon Jacob Duffy, an uncapped 30-year-old right-arm fast bowler, to replace him. Duffy is scheduled to depart for India on Wednesday and will be hoping to make his Test debut in the upcoming series. He has prior experience in limited-overs cricket, having played six ODIs and 14 T20Is for New Zealand, but his Test credentials remain unproven.
Duffy's performances in domestic cricket, however, have been impressive. He has claimed 299 wickets in 102 First-Class outings and has been a consistent performer for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship. This experience, along with his strong performances in white-ball cricket, has earned him a spot in the New Zealand Test squad. The team's head coach, Gary Stead, expressed his disappointment for Sears but expressed confidence in Duffy's ability to contribute.
Stead acknowledged the opportunity for Duffy to potentially make his Test debut, highlighting the importance of his recent form and experience. He believes Duffy's time in the County Championship will be beneficial, allowing him to adapt to the demands of Test cricket. The Kiwis will be hoping that Duffy can step up and fill the void left by Sears, and that he can make a significant contribution to their efforts in the upcoming series.
Source: New Zealand pacer Ben Sears ruled out of India tour due to knee injury