Wellington: New Zealand on Wednesday called in pacer Matt Henry for the first Test against India as cover for Neil Wagner, who is awaiting the birth of his first child.
Wagner is among New Zealand’s senior pacers alongside Trent Boult and Tim Southee. The left-arm fast bowler has an impressive record in Tests, having taken 204 wickets in 47 games at an average of 26.63.
“Neil Wagner will not be joining the squad in Wellington ahead of the first Test as he and his wife Lana await the birth of their first child. Wagner will remain in Tauranga until the birth. Matt Henry joins the squad tonight as cover,” the Black Caps tweeted.
Though Kyle Jamieson is in line to make a Test debut, Henry, who has played 12 Tests and 52 ODIs, is also in the mix.
Henry, however, doesn’t have much of a record to boast about in the five-day format, having picked up 30 wickets in 12 games at an average of 50.16. (AGENCIES)
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SPO-CHESS-PRAGUE
Vidit Gujrathi draws 6th round game, stays top in Prague chess tourney
Prague, Feb 19:
Indian Grand Master Vidit Gujrathi maintained a one-point lead after settling for a draw against Nikita Vitiugov of Russia in the sixth round of the Prague Chess Festival’s Masters category here.
He has 4.5 points and is ahead of Vitiugov and top seed Jan-Krzysztof Duda of Poland, both on 3.5 points.
The 25-year old Indian no.2 opted for a London opening in his game against the Russian GM and had to sign the peace treaty in 39 moves late on Tuesday.
Gujrathi’s compatriot P Harikrishna had to be content with his fifth draw in six games, against lower-rated Spanish GM David Anton Guijjaro.
Harikrishna, who chose a Catalan opening against Guijjaro, shared the point in 30 moves. The India no.3 now has 2.5 points after the conclusion of six rounds.
Gujrathi and Harikrishna will meet in an interesting clash in the seventh round later Wednesday.
All the five games in the sixth round ended in draws with American Sam Shankland and Markus Ragger (Austria) being involved in a 76-move marathon.
Results of Round 6: P Harikrishna (IND) 2.5 drew with David Anton Guijjaro (SPA) 3; Nikita Vitiugov (RUS) 2.5 drew with Vidit Gujrathi (IND) 4.5; Alirez Firouzja (Iran) 3 drew with David Navara (CZE) 2.5; Markus Ragger (AUT) 2.5 drew with Sam Shankland (USA) 2.5; Jan-Krzysztof Duda (POL) 3.5 drew with Nils Grandelius (SWE) 2.5. (AGENCIES)
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