New Zealand dealt with another injury blow as star all-rounder ruled out of World Cup 2023

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New Zealand all-rounder Michael Bracewell is set to miss the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 after rupturing his right Achilles in the ongoing T20 Blast 2023 in the UK.

The 32-year-old pulled up while batting for Worcestershire last Friday, retiring hurt on 11 not out in a T20 defeat to Yorkshire who registered their fifth consecutive win.

It was soon confirmed that he ruptured his right Achilles.The southpaw, who was played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL 2023, will undergo surgery in the UK this Thursday, before beginning a six to eight-month rehabilitation which will rule him out of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 in India in October-November.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead said the injury was a big blow to New Zealand and Bracewell. He admitted that he was shaping as one of the key players to play in the World Cup in India.

“Firstly, you always feel for the player when injury strikes and especially when it means they will have to miss a world event,” Stead said.

“Michael’s a great team man and has had a fantastic 15 months for the Black Caps since his international debut.

“We’ve seen his exceptional skills in all three facets of the game and he was shaping as an important player for us at the World Cup in India.

“Michael’s naturally pretty disappointed, but also pragmatic in acknowledging that injuries are a part of sport and he’s now turning his focus to his rehabilitation.”

Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson ruptured his ACL in the IPL 2023 opener and is expected to sit out six months himself. However, his prognoses means his participation at the World Cup 2023 has not yet been ruled out.