Tim Southee ruled out of Hamilton Test against South Africa

New Zealand were defeated with utmost ease in the second Test match. The hosts were defeated within three days by their African counterparts. Giving away six wickets to a spinner on a green top was absurd. Serious introspection is needed for Blackcaps.

However, injury gods are not favoring them as they have struck again. This time taking away Tim Southee with them. Southee reported some discomfort in his hamstring, the scans show that there is a slight tear in his left hamstring. The scans were to be precautionary but resulted in a sidelining of their front line fast bowler.

New Zealand confirmed his unavailability over Twitter stating his injury. The tweet read, “NEWS: BLACKCAPS fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the 3rd ANZ Test with a minor tear in his left hamstring. #NZvSA ^WN”

NEWS: BLACKCAPS fast bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of the 3rd ANZ Test with a minor tear to his left hamstring. #NZvSA ^WN pic.twitter.com/uIjBOoqGCX

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 23, 2017

However, Trent Boult is supposed to be fit after resting the second Test and is set to make a comeback after a short stint on the sidelines. He will take the place of the injured Tim Southee as reported. Tim was left out of the first Test after Boult hit form.

However, Boult will replace him if he is fit in time which is highly possible. New Zealand have been hit with injuries many times during this series. It was first Ross Taylor who was in magnificent form and now Tim Southee who can turn the game on his head and is also handy with the bat. Taylor was injured with a low-grade tear on the left calf while batting on 8. The fighter came out to bat in the second innings when his side had taken the lead and were nine down.

There will be no selection headache, though because Neil Wagner and Trent Boult would the two frontline spinners taking part in the final Test. James Neesham or Colin de Grandhomme will have to make way for Mitchell Santner.