Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Ben Sears celebrates taking a wicket for the Wellington Firebirds during the 2019 Super Smash season.
Wellington Firebird’s speedy Ben Sears was able to make his ODI debut for the Black Caps after being called up for their West Indian tour in place of the injured Matt Henry.
The 24-year-old has played six T20 internationals for New Zealand since making his debut against Bangladesh in Mirpur last September, and could now play in the 50-over format following Henry’s rib injury.
The Black Caps will play the first of three ODIs against the West Indies on Wednesday at Kensington Oval in Barbados (NZT), having already completed their three-match T20 series after an unassailable 2-0 lead.
READ MORE:
* Black Caps win T20 series as Glenn Phillips shines with bat before spider topples West Indies
* Ross Taylor the moment he became a millionaire was playing with Shane Warne and putting David Warner in a grip
* Trent Boult and Tim Southee combination numbers are among the best in testing history
Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Henry first experienced pain in his left hand during training last week and had been left out as a precaution with the T20 World Cup and a three-game ODI series in Australia ahead.
“It’s a shame Matt has to go home at this point on the tour,” Stead said. “While the injury is not too serious, we felt there was a significant risk that it would get worse from playing.
HEAVEN SPORTS
Glenn Phillips crushed 76 before the spinners won the T20 series for the Black Caps in the West Indies.
“With the upcoming ODI series starting on Wednesday and consisting of three games over five days, we saw it as sensible to bring in a fully fit replacement.”
Stead said Sears was an “exciting young prospect” who would add some extra speed to the New Zealand attack after impressing on their recent tour of Europe against Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands.
Henry has returned to New Zealand to begin his rehabilitation, with Sears arriving in Jamaica on Monday (NZT) before flying to Barbados on Monday with the rest of the squad.
The Black Caps will play a three-game Chappell-Hadlee Trophy ODI series in Australia on September 2.
Sears thrived at the domestic level for the Firebirds, taking 3-22 against the Netherlands earlier this month in the first T20 between the sides in The Hague.
AT A GLANCE
Black Caps Squad For ODI Series Against West Indies: Kane Williamson (Captain), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Ben Sears, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee