Tom Latham will not play in the second Test against Zimbabwe. The match is the second of a two-Test series and starts on August 7 and ends on August 11 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
The Black Caps announced last night that Latham hasn’t recovered from a left shoulder injury. He also missed the first Test of the series. Latham led the Kiwis to a 3-0 series win against India last year.
Santner will remain captain. Latham couldn’t pass his fitness test before the second Test which starts tomorrow in Bulawayo.
Coach Rob Walter said losing Tom again is a big disappointment. He said Tom has been working hard and making good progress towards playing in the second Test. Unfortunately he couldn’t pass his fitness tests. Walter said Tom is really upset not to be playing and the team feels for him.
Bevon Jacobs has been called in as cover for the team. Nathan Smith and Will O’Rourke were ruled out of the second Test earlier in the week. Ben Lister and Zak Foulkes will replace them.
O’Rourke injured himself after taking 3-28 in the second innings of the first Test in Bulawayo. His bowling helped the tourists win by nine wickets.
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Ben Lister, an uncapped left-arm seamer, was already in Zimbabwe as injury cover. He will stay with the team for the rest of the tour.
New Zealand won the first Test by nine wickets. The second and final Test starts tomorrow at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The team will look to keep the winning momentum going while Zimbabwe will be looking to level the series. Both teams are ready for a big match.
The conditions in Bulawayo will favour both batsmen and bowlers so it should be an interesting contest. Fans are looking forward to the match hoping to see some good cricket. The absence of Latham and O’Rourke will test the depth of the New Zealand squad and give other players a chance to step up. Zimbabwe will look to capitalise on those absences and put up a big fight. The weather forecast for the Test is good so there should be minimal rain interruptions.
