IPL 2024: Big blow for Chennai Super Kings as Devon Conway to remain out of action until May

Chennai Super Kings opener Devon Conway is ruled out of the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024). The New Zealand International injured his left thumb during the T20I series against Australia and was also ruled out of the first Test. However, upon further examination and advice from the medical team, it was concluded that the 32-year-old would require surgery, which ruled him out for at least eight weeks.

This puts Chennai in a state of bother. Conway was exceptional in the last edition of the tournament, scoring 672 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 139.7. He was extremely consistent and alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad, he managed to give good starts to Chennai in the cash-rich league. Now, in his absence, either Ajinkya Rahane or Rachin Ravindra is expected to open in IPL 2024. Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket released a statement to confirm the latest development which will mean that at least until May Conway is expected to remain out of action.

“BLACKCAPS opener Devon Conway will this week undergo surgery on the left thumb he damaged during the KFC T20I series against Australia. Following several scans and specialist advice, the decision was made to operate on Conway with a likely recovery period of at least eight weeks," read the statement.

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Ben Sears replaces Will O'Rourke in Test squad

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has confirmed that pacer Will O'Rourke has injured his hamstring and will miss the second Test against Trans-Tasman rivals Australia. Ben Sears, who has been called up to the squad is likely to make his debut as they are not going back to Neil Wagner, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket. 

Meanwhile, Stead was disappointed to lose O’Rourke after his impressive showing in the first Test of the series at Basin Reserve in Wellington. He added that the 22-year-old was bowling brilliantly and the Australians were respecting him before he walked away with the injury.

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“He hasn't had sort of hamstring injury in the past. Disappointing for Will and disappointing for us because I thought he bowled fantastically well and for a guy that's so young in his Test career it looks like the Australians were certainly respecting him in the way that they're playing him. I thought his spell before he got injured was absolutely outstanding,” Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo

“He'll be a big loss for us. Ben Sears for us as the closest I guess like for like replacement that we thought we could find. We wanted someone with some genuine pace,” he added.