Cricket-New Zealand's Ravindra bloodied by ball to the face in Lahore


  • Cricket
  • Sunday, 09 Feb 2025

(Reuters) - New Zealand said Rachin Ravindra was recovering well after taking a ball full in the face during a warm-up match for the Champions Trophy against Pakistan in Lahore on Saturday.

The all-rounder was left bloodied by the blow to his forehead after losing sight of the ball in the floodlights as he attempted a catch in the 38th over of Pakistan's innings.

The team said Ravindra had suffered a cut to his face but was "otherwise well" and had passed his first Head Injury Assessment (HIA).

"He's been conscious the whole time, which is fantastic," his teammate Glenn Phillips told reporters at Gaddafi Stadium.

"Obviously it was a pretty terrifying moment, he lost the ball in the lights and unfortunately the ball won that situation this time. He's being monitored and I'm sure he'll be raring to go as soon as possible."

Phillips was named Player of the Match after scoring his maiden one-day international century to drive New Zealand to a victory by 78 runs.

His unbeaten 106 came from just 74 deliveries and helped the Black Caps to a bumper score of 330 for six in their 50 overs before they bundled out their hosts for 252.

"ODI cricket has been my favourite format growing up and it's always something I've been reaching for to get that century," said Phillips, who was playing his 37th one-day international.

"It was a pretty surreal moment, I've been chasing it for a couple of years now, obviously batting at six it doesn't mean your opportunities to score a hundred are always there.

"Thankfully today everything lined up nicely."

New Zealand take on South Africa on Monday at the same stadium in the Tri-Series warm-up for the Champions Trophy, which begin when the Black Caps take on tournament hosts Pakistan again in Karachi on Feb. 19.

(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Daniel Wallis)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Cricket

Cricket-England captaincy would be a dream, says Duckett
Cricket-Delhi's Du Plessis has no complaints about impact player rule
Ex-national cricketer Harinder makes big leap into new field
Cricket-Chennai, Mumbai show value of spinners in IPL thriller
Cricket-Hyderabad showcase batting might again in IPL victory
Cricket-Hazlewood repays Bengaluru's faith with solid display in opening IPL win
Cricket-Bengaluru thump champions Kolkata for winning start to IPL campaign
Cricket-Knight to be replaced as England women's captain
Cricket-West Indies cricket bodies to review player safety after harassment allegations
Cricket-Teams eye the 300-mark as new IPL season gets under way

Others Also Read