Ravindra out of Australia series with facial injury; Neesham in as replacement

New Zealand allrounder Rachin Ravindra suffered a facial injury after colliding with a boundary hoarding while attempting a catch during training on Tuesday (September 30) and has now been ruled of the three-match T20I series versus Australia. All-rounder James Neesham has been called-up as replacement.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walters revealed that the decision to send Ravindra home for recovery was taken keeping the England series in mind, which begins in two weeks' time.

"We're all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series," Walters saod. He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal.

"Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made," he added.

Speaking of the replacement, Neesham, Walter said: "We're lucky to be able to call on Jimmy who brings all his experience and all-round capabilities."

This is Ravindra's second facial injury in 2025. Earlier this year, in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy, he was struck on the forehead while attempting a catch under the floodlights during a tri-series game against South Africa in Lahore. That blow ruled him out of the rest of the tri-series as well as New Zealand's opening Champions Trophy fixture against Pakistan.

This home series against Australia, which begins on October 1, will be played at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, with the next two games scheduled for October 3 and 4.

**This news article has been updated following the official confirmation of Rachin Ravindra being ruled out of the T20I series