Mark Chapman from New Zealand won’t play in the third and final ODI against Pakistan at Bay Oval due to a minor hamstring injury, according to NZC on Friday. He missed the second ODI in Hamilton because of a hamstring tear he got during the first ODI in Napier. An MRI showed it was a grade one tear, which needs a short recovery time.
There were hopes he might be back for the last match in Mount Maunganui on Saturday, but after failing a fitness test at training on Friday, the 30-year-old won’t be taking any risks. NZC confirmed that he hasn’t recovered enough to join the team for the final game.
Tim Seifert, who stepped in for Chapman in Hamilton, will stay with the squad for the third ODI on Saturday. Seifert was named Player of the Series in the recent T20I series, which New Zealand won 4-1 against Pakistan. Despite that, he hasn’t had the chance to add to his three ODIs for the national team yet.
New Zealand has been strong against Pakistan in this white-ball series. They already took the ODI series with a 2-0 lead after winning the first ODI by 73 runs and the second by 84 runs.