MUMBAI : New Zealand batters Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway have been sidelined by illness ahead of the T20 World Cup, but head coach Rob Walter remains confident the squad will be fully fit by the start of the tournament.
Walter said Ravindra and Conway will miss a warm-up match against the United States in Mumbai, while top-order batter Finn Allen will also be rested as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury.
“There’s a bit of illness in the camp unfortunately at the moment,” Walter told reporters on Thursday. “Devon and Rachin are struggling with a viral infection, which I suppose is part and parcel of touring.
“Rachin’s next door to me and it hasn’t sounded good all night, so I think he might be struggling.”
New Zealand begin their campaign for a maiden T20 World Cup title against Afghanistan in Chennai on Sunday.
All-rounder Michael Bracewell missed the recent 4-1 loss to India in a T20 warm-up series due to a calf injury, but Walter expects him to be available for the Afghanistan match, along with Allen.
“Everyone’s sort of on track at this stage to be fit and healthy for game one, which is good news,” Walter said.
The Black Caps have found it difficult to build momentum since arriving in the subcontinent, with Jimmy Neesham also falling ill and fast bowler Lockie Ferguson working his way back from injury.
Despite New Zealand losing the final T20 against India this week, Ferguson’s two-wicket spell provided encouragement, with the paceman set to play a key role in the absence of Adam Milne.
“He has worked incredibly hard to get himself ready for the World Cup,” Walter said. “He said he was going to ease into it, but he was bowling at 145 kph. So if that’s him easing in, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s to come.”
