New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has shared a major fitness update on batter Rachin Ravindra ahead of the tri-nation ODI series final against hosts Pakistan.
Ravindra left the field bloodied after losing sight of the bowl while going for a catch off spinner Michael Bracewell in the opening game against Pakistan in Lahore on February 8.
The ball struck the New Zealand batter in the forehead and he was left bloodied.
Following the game, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) stated that the batter sustained a ‘laceration’ to the forehead, however, he was ‘otherwise well.’
Now, head coach Gary Stead has said that Rachin Ravindra will need more time to return to the field as he still has a headache.
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“Rachin obviously got that nasty blow in Lahore to the forehead. The pleasing thing is he’s progressing well,” he said in a video released by New Zealand Cricket.
“So, we are following HIA protocols at the moment. He’s had a headache for a few days, but that’s subsiding, which is really good news.”
Stead revealed that Ravindra returned to the nets and ‘hit a few balls tonight for the first time.’
“But it’s still a few more steps for him to go through before he would be considered fit for play,” Stead said.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand coach did not specify whether Rachin Ravindra will be available for the tri-nation ODI series final against Pakistan.