McClenaghan out of New Zealand-Australia ODI series

Omnisports

January 28, 2016 9:02 AM

Mitchell McClenaghan's eye injury is worse than first feared, with New Zealand coach Mike Hesson hoping he returns for the World Twenty20.

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New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has confirmed Mitchell McClenaghan will miss the one-day international series against Australia next month with an eye injury.

McClenaghan fractured the bone above his left eye after a ball from Anwar Ali breached his helmet grille while he was batting in the first ODI against Pakistan – which New Zealand won by 70 runs – in Wellington on Monday.

Doug Bracewell replaced the 29-year-old in the squad for the remainder of the Pakistan series, but, after the second match was abandoned on Thursday due to heavy rain, Hesson revealed the issue is more serious than first thought.

McClenaghan will subsequently sit out the ODI series against Australia which begins in Auckland on Wednesday, with the coach now hoping he returns in time for the World Twenty20 in March.

"The fracture is a little worse than first thought, ruling him out for at least two weeks," Hesson said.

"Hopefully he will be available for selection for the World T20. He has done really well for us in the T20s."

Captain Brendon McCullum is in line to make his return from a back injury in Sunday's encounter with Pakistan, but Hesson suggested no risks will be taken.

"Once we assess where he's at, we'll make a call. We'll have to see him at training on Saturday and see how he goes," he added.

"He certainly won't play unless he's fit, but he's making all the right noises and doing everything in his power to be right."

Omnisports