Injury Woes for New Zealand Ahead of West Indies Test Series

Injury Setbacks for the Black Caps

New Zealand's cricket team faces significant challenges as they will be missing key players Matt Henry, Nathan Smith, and Mitchell Santner for the upcoming Test matches against the West Indies, as reported on Monday.

Both Matt Henry (calf injury) and Nathan Smith (side injury) sustained their injuries during the first Test of the three-match series. Meanwhile, all-rounder Mitchell Santner has not fully recovered from his injury, which has sidelined him for the second and third Tests against the West Indies.

Additionally, wicketkeeper-batter Tom Blundell will also be absent from the second Test in Wellington due to a hamstring injury he incurred while batting on Day 1 of the first Test in Christchurch.

New Zealand's Squad Adjustments

In response to the injuries, uncapped fast bowler Michael Rae has received his first Test call-up for New Zealand. The Black Caps have also included Kristian Clarke in their squad for the second Test against the West Indies.

Rae has previously played county cricket for Warwickshire, where he took 14 wickets at an average of 30.28. In total, the right-arm bowler has claimed 205 wickets in 69 First-Class matches, including eight four-wicket hauls and three five-wicket hauls.

Kristian Clarke, aged 24, has participated in 27 First-Class matches, securing 77 wickets at an average of 33. He was also part of the New Zealand A team that toured Bangladesh earlier this year.

First Test Summary: West Indies Draw

The first Test of the series concluded in a draw, with the West Indies batting for 164 overs in their second innings.

Star batter Just Greaves made headlines by becoming the fourth player from the West Indies to score a double century in the fourth innings of a Test match. He achieved this milestone with an unbeaten score of 202 off 388 balls, including 19 fours.

Kemar Roach provided crucial support, scoring 58 runs off 233 balls, which helped the West Indies bat through 164 overs to secure a draw.

Greaves joins an elite group of West Indies players, including George Headley (223), Gordon Greenidge (214), and Kyle Mayers (210*), as the seventh player to score a double century in the fourth innings of a Test match. Other notable players on this list include Nathan Astle (222), Sunil Gavaskar (221), and Bill Edrich (219).

Ultimately, the West Indies managed to score 457/6 in 163.3 overs while chasing a daunting target of 561, resulting in a drawn match.