Injury-hit New Zealand make squad changes ahead of third and fourth ODIs against India

New Zealand made more changes to their One-Day International squad ahead of Tuesday's third ODI against India as injuries continued to disrupt selection in the ongoing series. Kristian Clarke was added as cover for Blair Tickner while Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the remaining two matches.

Ferguson failed to recover from a low-grade tear in his right calf sustained during the T20I series against India, and New Zealand Cricket confirmed he will miss the fourth and fifth ODIs. Tickner was struck by the ball while batting in the second ODI; he has been cleared of concussion but must complete the ICC's mandatory seven-day stand-down period from the date of the match before returning to international duty, and Matt Fisher replaced him in the playing XI for the remainder of that contest.

Matt Henry, who suffered a head injury following a collision with Devon Conway in Auckland, was initially cleared of concussion but was reassessed in Wellington and has been advised to target a return for the fourth ODI. As a result, Henry and Kyle Jamieson, who had been due to join the Test squad in Wellington after the third ODI, will remain with the ODI group for the fourth match.

New Zealand are expected to add two more players to their squad across the fourth and fifth ODIs as they manage ongoing injury issues. Five players — Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips and Nathan Smith — will leave the ODI squad on Wednesday to begin preparations for the upcoming Test series in Wellington, with New Zealand set to announce their Test squad in the coming days.

Mitchell Santner will continue to captain the side for the third and fourth ODIs. The updated squad named for the third match is: Mitchell Santner (captain), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tom Latham (wicketkeeper), Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Will Young; Tim Seifert and Tom Latham will provide wicketkeeping cover.

For the fourth ODI New Zealand named: Mitchell Santner (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Jacob Duffy, Matt Fisher, Dean Foxcroft, Mitch Hay (wicketkeeper), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Nick Kelly, Tim Seifert (wicketkeeper), Will Young; Henry is targeting a return from his head injury for that match.

The third ODI is scheduled for Tuesday, with the revised squads in place as New Zealand cope with multiple fitness issues and prepare for the forthcoming Test series.