Overview:
New Zealand suffered injury setback when Michael Bracewell experienced discomfort in his calf during pre-match routines ahead of the Afghanistan clash in Chennai.
Sri Lanka and New Zealand have suffered major setbacks in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after key all-rounders Wanindu Hasaranga and Michael Bracewell were ruled out of the rest of the campaign. Both sides acted promptly, with Sri Lanka calling up Deshan Hemantha, while New Zealand brought in Cole McConchie as cover.
Hasaranga’s exit comes after he picked up a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka’s tournament opener against Ireland in Colombo. The leggie had earlier made his presence felt, finishing with 3/25 from his quota. But scans later confirmed he would take no further part in the tournament.
Further tests carried out at the start of the week detected a significant hamstring damage on Hasaranga’s left side. After consultation with an overseas expert, Sri Lanka Cricket announced his exit from the tournament. Sources indicate he is likely to be out of action for around four weeks, ending his involvement in the multi-nation event being staged in Sri Lanka and India.
“The Event Technical Committee for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has cleared Dushan Hemantha to join Sri Lanka’s squad as a substitute for Wanindu Hasaranga. Hemantha, who has featured in five ODIs and three T20 Internationals, comes in after Hasaranga was sidelined with a left hamstring injury suffered during the game against Ireland on February 8.
“The Event Technical Committee has similarly sanctioned a substitute for New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell after he sustained a calf problem while warming up for the Afghanistan fixture on February 8 in Chennai,” the ICC confirmed in an official release.
New Zealand suffered injury setback when Michael Bracewell experienced discomfort in his calf during pre-match routines ahead of the Afghanistan clash in Chennai. The issue traces back to a muscle injury he picked up in the third ODI against India recently, with the same area flaring up again on Sunday.
Further medical evaluation outlined the damage, and specialists advised a rehabilitation window of approximately 21 days.
“Off-spin all-rounder Cole McConchie is set to head to India to link up with the squad as a travelling reserve, joining seamer Ben Sears in that role,” New Zealand Cricket stated in an official release.