New Zealand v India 3rd T20I: Henry out, Ferguson rested as India eye series win in Wellington
India lead the five-match series 2-0 and can seal it in Wellington on Tuesday (3pm Malaysia time). New Zealand are without Matt Henry and Lockie Ferguson.
India can wrap up the five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Tuesday when the teams meet in the third game at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. The visitors lead 2-0, and New Zealand go in short of two front-line fast bowlers. Play starts at 8pm local time, which is 3pm in Malaysia.
Series so far
India won the opening match in Christchurch with the highest successful run chase in their T20I history, chasing down a target of 226. Two days later, again at Hagley Oval, they held New Zealand to 180 and won by four wickets. The chase wobbled early before Tilak Varma and Nitish Reddy steered India home.
A win in Wellington would give India an unbeatable 3-0 lead with two matches still to play.
New Zealand's bowling reshuffle
New Zealand Cricket has made several squad changes. Matt Henry is out of the rest of the T20I series with calf tightness picked up in the second match. He will stay in Christchurch and join the ODI squad in Auckland on 2 November.
Lockie Ferguson will sit out Tuesday's game under workload management and is due back for the last two matches. Blair Tickner has been added for the final three T20Is. Kyle Jamieson is available for the third match before playing domestic cricket for Canterbury, while Matt Fisher provides cover for Wellington before returning to New Zealand A. Batter Josh Clarkson joins for the last two games.
Without Henry and Ferguson, captain Mitchell Santner has a much less experienced pace attack to use against an Indian batting line-up that has already scored heavily on this tour. New Zealand are also without Rachin Ravindra, who is missing the T20Is with a shoulder injury.
India's settled side
India's T20I side is led by Shreyas Iyer, with Shubman Gill to take over for the first three ODIs and the Tests. The batting has produced at both ends of the scale so far: a record chase in the first game and a tense recovery from early wickets in the second. That shows the depth in the order, with players such as Tilak Varma able to rebuild an innings when the top order fails.
Rest of the tour
After Wellington, the T20I series moves to Eden Park in Auckland on 30 October and Seddon Park in Hamilton on 1 November. A five-match ODI series begins on 4 November, followed by two Tests starting on 19 November in Wellington and 27 November in Christchurch.
For fans in Malaysia and Singapore, all T20Is start at 3pm local time, which makes this one of the more convenient tours to watch from the region.
Key takeaways
- India lead the five-match T20I series 2-0 and can clinch it in Wellington.
- Matt Henry is out of the rest of the T20Is with calf tightness; Lockie Ferguson is rested.
- Blair Tickner joins the squad for the last three T20Is.
- The match starts at 8pm in Wellington, 3pm Malaysia time, on Tuesday 27 October.
FAQ
What time does the 3rd T20I start in Malaysia? It starts at 3pm Malaysia time on Tuesday 27 October (8pm in Wellington, 12.30pm in India).
Why is Lockie Ferguson not playing? New Zealand are resting him for the third T20I to manage his workload. He is due to return for the fourth and fifth matches.
Can India win the series in Wellington? Yes. India lead 2-0 in a five-match series, so a third win would give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead.
Sources: Sunday Guardian, Yahoo Sports, ESPNcricinfo, Olympics.com