Cricket news round-up – February 19: Temba Bavuma ruled out of first Australia T20I

South Africa have been dealt a blow before the first T20I against Australia, with Temba Bavuma, the in-form opener, picking up a hamstring strain and set to miss the clash. Elsewhere, New Zealand call up Matt Henry as cover for Neil Wagner, and Oshane Thomas escapes a car crash without serious harm.

Temba Bavuma ruled out of first Australia T20I

South Africa will be without one of their in-form openers Temba Bavuma for the first T20I against Australia starting on Friday, 21 February.

Bavuma has a hamstring strain, sustained while fielding in the final T20I against England on Sunday, and has been advised rest of up to 10 days.

He will remain with the squad, and is hopeful for playing this Sunday in the second T20I against Australia.

New Zealand call up Henry as Wagner cover

New Zealand have called up Matt Henry to the Test squad as cover for the key pacer Neil Wagner, who is expecting his first child and hasn’t joined the squad yet.

Henry was overlooked for the initial 13-man squad, with the selectors preferring to try out the uncapped Kyle Jamieson in his stead. He is expected to join the squad on Wednesday.

Henry was part of the XI for the New Year’s Test against Australia in Sydney, but fared poorly, taking just two wickets across innings as Australia racked up a big win.

Oshane Thomas escapes serious injury after car crash

West Indies pacer Oshane Thomas was involved in a car accident earlier in the week, but emerged from it without serious injury and is now ‘resting at home’.

Thomas’ car collided with another vehicle, and according to a report in the Jamaica Observer, the car was toppled over. However, Thomas has escaped serious harm, and the paper quoted his agent as saying he was ‘resting at home’.

The West Indies Players’ Association released a statement wishing the pacemen a speedy recovery.

BCB planning tweak of Vettori contract

The Bangladesh Cricket Board are looking to tweak the contract of Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand captain and their spin bowling consultant, so as to increase the time he spends working on their spinners.

According to Cricbuzz, the contract currently ties Vettori to a 100-day period with Bangladesh ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, the BCB want to increase the contract such that he gets to work with the spinners during the off-season.

“’He [Vettori] is quite fine with it as he has time on his hands,” said BCB chief Nizamuddin Chowdhury. “But we must also remember that someone like him staying in the dressing room during international matches will have a [positive] impact on the minds of the players.”