Mark Craig ruled out of the Indian tour with side strain

New Zealand spinner Mark Craig has been ruled out of the remainder of the Indian tour courtesy of a side strain. While not many know how he suffered the strain, it has been confirmed that the injury occurred on the fourth day’s play against India. Craig was one of three spinners named in the playing XI for the first Test of the series against India.

The New Zealand selection committee for the tour shocked one and all when they named three spinners in the side for the opening encounter. Mark Craig was one of the three spinners named in the side along with Ish Sodhi and Mitchell Santner.

However, Craig was not able to make much of an impact on the match having picked just the two wickets as the Indians were allowed to claw their way back into the match and gain the upper hand prior to the start of the fifth day’s play.

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Reports suggest that Jeetan Patel will make his way into the side as a replacement for Mark Craig. The 36-year old has been in pristine form with Warwickshire of late, helping the English-based county side in their ongoing County Championships in England. Moreover, the 36-year old has claimed 69 wickets in the current county season, thereby justifying his selection in the side.

However, in spite of this, the 36-year old Patel played his last Test match against South Africa in January 2013, a match that the Kiwis lost by an innings and 193 runs at Port Elizabeth. Mark Craig is the second player to be ruled out with and will take the flight back home to Wellington at the close of the 1st Test at Kanpur.

However, in spite of this, the Indians stand on the brink of a win in their memorable 500th Test match, something that has created a massive impact on the proceedings.

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