New Zealand Spinner Ish Sodhi Ruled Out of South Africa T20Is with Thumb Fracture

New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi has been ruled out of the ongoing five-match T20I series against South Africa after suffering a broken thumb during a training session at the Bay Oval on Saturday, March 14.

Scans confirmed the fracture, with Sodhi now requiring a minimum of four weeks’ rest. The spinner did not feature in the series opener, which New Zealand lost by seven wickets, and will play no further part in the remaining matches.

Head coach Rob Walter expressed disappointment at the setback: “Ish is very passionate about playing for New Zealand and we know he was looking forward to turning out in front of home fans after the World Cup campaign. He is hugely experienced in the T20 format and so will be a big miss for the remainder of the series.”

Sodhi, the fourth-highest wicket-taker in men’s T20Is, played three games in the 2026 T20 World Cup but went wicketless in both his bowling appearances.

New Zealand have opted not to name a replacement, feeling adequately covered with Lockie Ferguson joining the squad for games two and three. Other players set to feature in the latter half include Katene Clarke, wicketkeeper Dane Cleaver, and left-arm spinner Jayden Lennox for games four and five, with Tom Latham taking over captaincy for the final two matches in Mitchell Santner’s absence.

The second T20I against South Africa is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.

Updated New Zealand Squad (South Africa T20Is):

Mitchell Santner (c, games 1-3), Katene Clarke (games 4,5), Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk, games 4-5), Devon Conway (wk, games 1-3), Lockie Ferguson (games 2-3), Zak Foulkes, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wk, c for games 4,5), Jayden Lennox (games 4-5), Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith

                                               

Relevant news