AUCKLAND: New Zealand middle-order batsman Bevon Jacobs has been ruled out of the second T20I of the five-match home T20I series against South Africa, the country’s cricket body announced on Monday.
According to New Zealand Cricket, the right-handed batsman will miss Tuesday’s upcoming match at Seddon Park in Hamilton after picking up a knee injury in Sunday’s series opener at Mount Maunganui.
“BLACKCAPS batsman Bevon Jacobs has been ruled out of tomorrow’s second Life Direct T20I V South Africa at Seddon Park due to a knee injury,” NZC said in a statement.
Jacobs’ injury adds to New Zealand’s woes as the hosts currently trail South Africa 1-0 in the five-match series after their seven-wicket haul in Sunday’s opener.
New Zealand, who elected to bat first, were bowled out for 91 in 14.3 overs, with South Africa’s bowling combination conceding just 26 runs in their 3.3 overs and taking 3 wickets.
In reply, Connor Esterhuizen’s unbeaten 45 helped the Proteas easily chase down the target of 92 runs with 3 wickets and 20 balls remaining.
Meanwhile, in light of Jacobs’ injury, emerging right-handed batsman Kaden Clarke has been included in the Blackcaps’ squad as an early card as he is set to exclusively represent the Blackcaps in the remaining two matches.
“Katen Clarke has started in the team as a cover.”
Clarke earned his selection by scoring 1485 runs in T20s at an encouraging average of 30.30 and a strike rate of 143.61. The 26-year-old has two centuries and six fifties to his name.
New Zealand squad for T20 series against South Africa:
Mitchell Santner (captain, matches 1-3), Katen Clarke (2-5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (week, 4-5), Devon Conway (week, 1-3), Lockie Ferguson (2-3), Zach Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Lath-Gellison (4), Jaden Lennox (4-5), Cole McConnie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith and Ish Sodhi.
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