Ahead of the mega event, New Zealand got a huge blow as their key batter Lauren Down has been ruled out of the upcoming Women’s World Cup at home owing to a thumb injury. Georgia Plimmer, who plays for Wellington Blaze in domestic cricket, will replace Down in the World Cup squad as well.
Lauren Down has injured her right thumb while grabbing a catch in the fifth ODI against India. She will return home and seek medical advice to recover from the injury.
“Quite simply, the entire squad is absolutely gutted for Lauren.” head coach Bob Carter said on Friday (February 25). “She’s a very popular member of the group and it’s fair to say the team were 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,” Carter further added.
Meanwhile, Molly Penfold will also join the team as a reserve player. However, both Penfold and Plimmer will have to undergo the necessary five-day ‘bridging in’ isolation period before officially joining the team, New Zealand Cricket has said.
On the other hand, New Zealand will play a couple of warm-up games before their World Cup opener against West Indies in Mount Maunganui on March 4 as well.
