Matt Henry joins New Zealand's mounting injury list; Jamieson called in as cover

Fast bowler Matt Henry hurt his right hamstring during the World Cup match between South Africa and New Zealand in Pune and left the field midway through his sixth over. James Neesham completed the over, the 27th of South Africa's innings, and went on to finish with 1 for 69 in 5.3 overs.

Henry received treatment with the team management hopeful they could strap him up and have him back on the field but later confirmed he would not return to bowl. New Zealand Cricket said he will be sent for a scan on Thursday. Henry did come to bat at No. 11, with New Zealand 133 for 9 chasing 358 and desperate to reduce the margin of defeat. He faced nine deliveries but could not run, as Glenn Phillips took the score to 167 before he was the last man to fall in the 36th over.

New Zealand have subsequently brought in Kyle Jamieson as cover into the squad. Jamieson will arrive in Bengaluru on Thursday ahead of Saturday's game against Pakistan.

"The severity of Matt's injury, combined with a short turnaround to Pakistan, meant we couldn't risk being a bowler down for Saturday," head coach Gary Stead said.

"Matt's been a world class performer for us in ODI cricket for the past two World Cup cycles so we've got our fingers crossed for the scan results later today."

Stead said Jamieson was well prepared to return to India.

"Kyle's on his way over as we speak and we look forward to welcoming him back into the group. He'll likely train with us on Friday with a mind to being available for Saturday's game.

"Kyle was able to train for two full weeks with us earlier in the tournament and has since played a Plunket Shield match - so we're confident he'll be able to hit the ground running."

There was another injury issue for New Zealand as well, with Neesham suffering a blow on the wrist of his right hand during his follow-through. He came out to bat at No. 9, below Mitchell Santner and Tim Southee, with New Zealand 109 for 7 in their chase of 357. NZC said an X-ray had "cleared him of any broken bones".

Meanwhile, Lockie Ferguson, who hurt his achilles against Australia, is likely to be fit for the next game. "Lockie Ferguson's scan on his right achilles revealed no significant damage and it's hoped he'll be available for Saturday's game against Pakistan in Bengaluru," NZC said in a statement after the game.

"We're faced with a little bit of adversity with injuries," New Zealand captain Tom Latham said at the presentation. "We need to see how they shape up tomorrow. Pretty quick turnaround in Bangalore so we need to reflect on this quickly and go into the next game with a positive mindset. We don't become a bad team overnight."

Henry joined Ferguson, Mark Chapman (calf) and Kane Williamson (thumb) on New Zealand's injury list, leaving them with only 11 fit players in their squad of 15. Ish Sodhi was used as a substitute fielder for Henry but when Tim Southee momentarily left the field, thoughts may have turned to who could field for New Zealand, because the playing conditions do not accommodate for travelling reserves to take the field.

However, a male member of team management is permitted to take the place of a reserve fielder. That means that even though Tom Blundell is part of the touring party, should New Zealand have needed another substitute fielder, they would have had to call on batting coach Luke Ronchi. Blundell will only form part of the official squad if a player of the current fifteen is ruled out and the ICC approves a replacement. New Zealand initially also had Kyle Jamieson as a travelling reserve but he was sent home before Ferguson's injury and has since played for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield.

New Zealand's campaign has been beset by injuries since their squad was named in September. Williamson and Southee were named in the touring group despite not having fully recovered from an ACL injury and thumb fracture respectively. Williamson returned for New Zealand's third match against Bangladesh but then suffered a thumb fracture and is only expected to be available later in the tournament. Southee was available from New Zealand's fifth match against India but was not selected; the match against South Africa was his first of the World Cup.

After winning their first four World Cup matches, New Zealand have suffered three defeats in a row and are currently in fourth place with eight points.