WELLINGTON: Gary Stead, the coach of the New Zealand cricket team, expressed confidence in having a fully fit squad for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup in the Caribbean. Finn Allen and Devon Conway are both making significant progress in their recovery from injuries, boosting Stead’s optimism.
Allen, known for his explosive opening batting, missed the recent T20 series in Pakistan due to a back injury. Meanwhile, Conway underwent thumb surgery in February and has been sidelined from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Stead provided updates on their recovery, stating, “Finn Allen is currently training in the nets behind us and progressing well, albeit with some lingering back pain. Our plan is to gradually increase the intensity of his training throughout the week.”
Regarding Conway, Stead mentioned, “Devon is still participating in the IPL, actively involved in wicketkeeping and batting practice. He’ll be back home by the end of the week, and we’ll assess his readiness early next week.”
Despite the lack of warm-up matches before their World Cup opener against Afghanistan, Stead emphasized the team’s preparation on varied surfaces at Bay Oval to adapt to the diverse conditions expected in the Caribbean.
“We have a mix of players who have been competing in the IPL and recently toured Pakistan, providing us with valuable experience,” Stead remarked. “Additionally, many squad members have prior experience in the Caribbean Premier League, which will be advantageous. We aim to maximize our training sessions before our first game to ensure we’re well-prepared.”
