Overview
- Scans confirmed a recurrence of Bracewell’s left-calf injury with an expected recovery of about three weeks, ruling him out of the tournament.
- Bracewell aggravated the previously torn calf during warm-ups before the Afghanistan game after rehabbing a tear sustained in the third ODI in India last month.
- New Zealand Cricket named off-spinning all-rounder Cole McConchie as a travelling reserve, with his arrival scheduled for February 13.
- McConchie provides cover on the back of a strong domestic T20 season for Canterbury, taking 14 wickets at a 7.71 economy, and he has prior international experience.
- New Zealand lead Group D at 2–0 after beating Afghanistan and the UAE, and head coach Rob Walter voiced support for Bracewell as the team prepares to face South Africa in Ahmedabad on February 14.