Trent Boult pained by McClenaghan injury but insists bouncers are part of the game
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has offered his sympathy to fellow pacer Mitchell McClenaghan who suffered a nasty injury after being struck above the eye during the 1st ODI between New Zealand and Pakistan but insisted that bouncers are part and parcel of the game.
The players, as well as the crowd, were put in momentary shock as a slow ball from Pakistan pacer Anwar Ali sneaked through the grille of McClenaghan’s helmet and struck him above his left eye. He collapsed to the ground with the ball still lodged inside the helmet but fortunately, he was able to walk off the field after receiving treatment.
The scenes provided relief to the cricket world, many of whom are still haunted by the memories of the untimely death of former Australian batsman Phillip Hughes after being struck on the back of the head while playing a Sheffield Shield match in 2014.
Talking about the incident on Monday, Boult said that it was never a good sight to watch someone get hurt on the cricket field, especially when it is someone from your own dressing room. The 26-year-old left arm bowler, however, added that such incidents were unavoidable and are bound to occur sometime or the other.
“It's never a nice sight to see one of your team-mates down on the ground, it's pretty scary, (but) it's just part of the game, it's been going on for years," Boult said, as reported by IBNLive. "It's just a shame it happened yesterday.
“It still churns your stomach a little bit to see stuff like that happen and it's hard to talk about to be honest but we've just got to move on, it's just part of the game and it's always going to happen," Boult said.
Doug Bracewell replaces McClenaghan for the remaining two ODIs
New Zealand have called up right-arm fast bowler Doug Bracewell as McClenaghan’s replacement for the remaining two matches against Pakistan in the three-match ODI series. Bracewell, who has taken 16 wickets in 12 ODIs for the Black Caps received words of praise from Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, who also spoke about McClenaghan, who is expected to undergo minor cosmetic surgery on Tuesday.
“Obviously, our main focus is making sure Mitch is ok and we’ll continue to monitor him over the coming days,” Hesson said, as reported by WisdenIndia. “Doug has been in superb form this summer and we’re confident he can come in and do a good job for us. He’s an integral member of our wider bowling group and brings a lot to the side.”