The New Zealand cricket team has confirmed the death of the wicket-keeper Tim Seifert the following were excluded Five match T20I series against West Indies after a broken finger.
Seifert was injured during an infield match, sustaining a scrambling streak that took the damage and revealed a break in his index finger.
Head coach Rob Walter expressed his disappointment, highlighting how the T20 was structured as a t20 as well as a top-order batsman and wicketkeeper.
“We all feel for Tim” Walter said in an official statement. “He is a key member of this T20 unit, at the helm and given his role as a wicketkeeper, he will be missed for the next five matches.” the coach added.
Who replaces Tim Seifert in New Zealand’s T20I squad?
In the wake of Seifert’s injury, New Zealand brought in Mitch Hay to fill the void. Already experienced in T20 internationals, Hay was selected for the series and joined ahead of the first match at Auckland’s Eden Park on November 5.
Coach Walter praised Hay’s ability, noting that Seifert provided a ready replacement in Seifert’s absence. “We are fortunate to be able to call on another player of another player who shows the level of depth that we have in the T20 format at the moment” Walter said.
Seifert’s absence: Impact on West Indies T20IS and New Zealand’s plans
To charge Seifert at this stage is a significant setback for New Zealand. With the T20 series against West Indies seen as the main preparation task until the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, an experienced wicketkeeper-batsman breaks down both the playing XI and the strategy.
Meanwhile, other changes in the squad include pacer Kyle Jamieson and spinner Ish Sodhi, the veteran pacer Matt Henry was rested.
For Mitch Ott, this series presents a significant opportunity to cement his place in the squad and make an impact on the world cup leads.
This injury and replacement development highlights how fluid international T20 preparations can be – one injury and plans quickly pivot.
New Zealand update squad for West Indies T20IS
Mitchell Sandner, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Mitch Hay (WicketKeeper), Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robins, Nathan Sodhi, Ish Sodhi.
Read: T20I squad named for West Indies Tour of New Zealand; Gudakesh Motie left
