Women’s WC: Devine, Tahuhu injured

Auckland, March 20 : New Zealand suffered twin blows, with skipper Sophie Devine and seamer Lea Tahuhu injured during their must-win Women’s Cricket World Cricket Cup match against England on Sunday. With Devine not returning for New Zealand’s fielding innings, vice-captain Amy Satterthwaite will lead the side. Meanwhile, Tahuhu, too, is unlikely to return to the field. Devine, who was forced to retire hurt while batting, pulled up sore when attempting to turn for a second run on the first ball of the 15th over at Eden Park and the veteran batter knew something was amiss. Medical staff treated Devine for a back injury on the side of the pitch, before she hobbled off the ground to the applause of the crowd. Devine had looked in good touch for the Kiwis as she had raced along to 37 not out from just 42 deliveries as New Zealand look to post a big total in their must-win clash against England. After being forced to retire hurt, the White Ferns skipper was treated for the injury and recovered well enough to return to the crease when New Zealand lost Lea Tahuhu for a duck to fall to 155/6 in the 38th over. But Devine failed to last much longer as she holed out to Charlie Dean in the deep for 41 as New Zealand stumbled late in their innings. The severity of Devine’s injury is currently being determined. Tahuhu, on the other hand, sustained a left hamstring injury while bowling. “She is being treated by the team physio and is unlikely to return to the field,” tweeted White Ferns. An off-cutter by Tahuhu cut in and went through the bat and pad gap to dismiss Tammy Beaumont for 25. The dismissal made Tahuhu the most successful ODI bowler for New Zealand with 93 wickets, surpassing Aimee Watkins (92). However, in the 16th over, Tahuhu could not complete her over as she pulled up and Brooke Halliday finished the over.

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