Jimmy Neesham ruled out of Test series against India due to rib injury

New Zealand had a bad news to deal with today after all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was deemed unlikely to be fit for the remaining two Tests in India.

Neesham’s exclusion come just a couple of days after off-spinner Mark Craig was ruled out of the series due to a side strain. New Zealand has called up veteran off-spinner Jeetan Patel to replace Craig whereas the board has not opted not to name any replacement for.

Neesham was unavailable for the first Test because of a rib injury received in the nets but was initially thought to recover before the second test in Kolkata. However, he seems to be struggling with the recovery.

Neesham picked up the injury during training last Thursday, and it had affected his participation in the warm-up fixture against Mumbai in Delhi. He didn’t bat in either innings and bowled just five overs.

Mike Hesson told The Crowd Goes Wild: “Jimmy is still struggling unfortunately and might miss out on the third test yet”.

“Jimmy was struck in the nets and has been in discomfort the last few days,” he said. “It will take a few days for the bruising to go away, but it’s very much a short-term injury.”

The 36-year-old Patel’s last Test was in 2013, against South Africa, and he has an unimpressive bowling average in the high 40s, with 52 wickets in 19 tests.

But he has had a very good season for Warwickshire, and Hesson said his experience would be invaluable. New Zealand seems certain to continue with their three-spinner strategy.

“We wanted another off-spinner in the group, with the foot holes that will be there again in Kolkata.

The Kolkata pitch had been low and slow with a reasonable amount of turn during the T20 World Cup, Hesson said.

“It’s going to be hot and humid again and the pitch will deteriorate pretty quickly,” he said.