New Zealand A vs India A: George Worker ruled out of first unofficial Test match

New Zealand ‘A’ had a blow to their plans as opener George Worker was ruled out of the four-day game against India ‘A’ starting Friday at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. The 29-year-old left-handed batsman was hit on the helmet by a delivery during a training session on Thursday and failed a Head Injury Assessment after undergoing scans.

Worker, who featured in the Black Caps’ recent series ODI series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, is set to be replaced by batsman Hamish Rutherford, son of former Kiwi captain Ken Rutherford. Rutherford has represented New Zealand in all three formats in international cricket.

Hamish, 29, however, hasn’t played an international game since 2015 and has been playing for Otago Volts in the country’s domestic One Day Trophy. Hamish, also a left-hand opener, is in good form of late and was set to join the squad from Christchurch.

Worker will remain with NZ ‘A’ squad

Worker, meanwhile, will continue with his association with the New Zealand ‘A’ squad and undergo the standard HIA concussion procedures. He will try to get fit ahead of the second and third four-day games against India ‘A’ at Hamilton and Whangarei, respectively.

Worker, who is yet to play in Tests, made his international debut in 2015 and has appeared in 10 ODIs and two T20Is so far, scoring 362 runs and taking one wicket. He made a mark on his international debut by hitting a 38-ball 62 against Zimbabwe in Harare to pick the Man of the Match award.

He had a good domestic One Day trophy season in 2017 which brought him back to the reckoning. He was in the T20I squad when Bangladesh went to New Zealand but didn’t get to play. He played a series of games for New Zealand ‘A’ against Pakistan ‘A’ in the UAE before playing in the three-match ODI series which ended 1-1.

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