New Zealand's wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert is set to miss the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies with a broken finger. New Zealand have called up Mitch Hay to the squad as Seifert’s replacement. Seifert picked up the injury after being rapped by a delivery while batting for Northern Districts in the Ford Trophy for Northern Districts against the Wellington Firebirds, and the subsequent scans revealed a fracture to his finger.
“We’re all feeling for Tim,” New Zealand head coach Rob Walter said.
“He’s a key member of this T20 unit given his power at the top of the order and his role as keeper, so he’ll be missed over the next five matches.
“He showed in the recent T20 series’ that he’s building up to top form, so it’s disappointing that that has been halted as we continue to prepare for a pinnacle event.
“We’re hoping Tim’s recovery will be quick and he’ll be back on the park as soon as possible.”
Hay has featured in 11 T20Is for New Zealand since making his debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in November last year. Meanwhile, the five-match series between New Zealand and West Indies gets underway on Wednesday at Eden Park, Auckland.