Injured NZ skipper Latham to miss second test against Zimbabwe
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - ICC World Test Championship Final - India v New Zealand - Rose Bowl, Southampton, Britain - June 23, 2021 New Zealand's Tom Latham looks dejected Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo
New Zealand captain Tom Latham has been ruled out of the second test against Zimbabwe after failing to recover from a shoulder injury, New Zealand Cricket said on Wednesday.
Latham missed the opening test last week, with Mitch Santner stepping in to lead the side to a nine-wicket victory.
Santner will continue to skipper the team after Latham failed a fitness test ahead of the second match of the two-test series starting on Thursday in Bulawayo.
"It's hugely disappointing to lose Tom again," coach Rob Walter said in a statement.
"He's been working hard and had been tracking well towards the second test but unfortunately today he couldn't pass his fitness tests. He's extremely gutted he won't be able to take the park and we're really feeling for him."
New Zealand have called up middle-order batter Bevon Jacobs for cover. REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
39 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Smiling through: Carlos Alcaraz won't let Wimbledon defeat get him down
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox CINCINNATI – Carlos Alcaraz says he has refused to let his Wimbledon final loss to Jannik Sinner wipe the smile from his face as he prepares for his start at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. The world No. 2, defeated in a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career last month, spent his first full day at the Cincinnati site on Aug 6 and said he is ready for a reboot during the second half of the season. 'Even though I lost, I left the court proud after Wimbledon,' the 2023 Cincinnati finalist said. 'But the goals can change during the second half of the season. 'My goal is to keep doing the right thing and improving. I want to enjoy my time on and off the court. But I also want to try and recover the No. 1 ranking by the end of the year.' The Spaniard, who joined the top-ranked Sinner in skipping the ongoing ATP Toronto Masters, said he spent a refreshing three weeks at home in Spain after his Wimbledon defeat. 'I took a week off, not doing anything. Then I started training at home and visiting with friends and family. Just being at home in the summer – I couldn't believe it,' he said. 'I tried to make the most of my time. I wanted to come strong to Cincy.' Alcaraz, who beat Sinner in the French Open final before falling to the Italian at Wimbledon, also said he is 'happy to be building such a rivalry'. 'We've done a lot in tennis in a short period of time,' he said. 'People talk about what we have done for the history books. But we have long careers ahead of us... let's see how far we can go.' Sinner, meanwhile, gave tepid approval to the 12-day jumbo version of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters while confessing that he would actually prefer to keep the event to the usual one week length. He will be defending his title at the final big event prior to the Aug 24 start of the US Open. Extending the ongoing Canada event – and Cincinnati – to 12 days with 96-player draws also means that WTA and ATP events in Canada will stage unorthodox finals on Aug 7 while play is beginning in Cincinnati. Sinner said that given the choice he would opt for the classic system of one-week events for an increasingly crowded calendar. 'We (top players) cannot control everything,' the Italian said. 'The fans now have two weekends to hopefully watch some good tennis. 'That is exactly what we need in this sport. I would prefer a one-week event, it's something that I like. But it's OK, I'm here and I'm very happy.' Other top-10 players, including Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur, have also complained in recent days about the wholesale calendar rewrite which has the enthusiastic endorsement of the ATP and WTA. Like Alcaraz, Sinner also said that he enjoyed his time away from the courts, spending time at home with family and friends. 'Then it was back to practice to try and get as ready as possible for the US swing,' he added. Players can be extra motivated as the US Open has announced US$90 million in prize money will be on offer at this year's final Grand Slam, marking the largest purse in tennis history, up 20 per cent from 2024. Top stars in the ATP and WTA called for more equitable distribution of revenue at the four Slams this year, as those at the top of the game are able to benefit from increased prize money while players at the lower levels often struggle. The US Open prize pool is up from US$75 million in 2024, the previous highest-ever purse. Men's and women's singles winners will earn US$5 million each, up from US$3.6 million last year. The tournament will also see double-digit percentage increases across all rounds in all events. AFP, REUTERS
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Argentina-bound All Blacks rookie forced to scramble after dog eats passport
Leroy Carter's dream call-up to New Zealand's Rugby Championship squad nearly turned sour when he discovered his passport had been chewed up by his dog days before leaving for Argentina. Utility back Carter, named among the injury replacements in Scott Robertson's All Blacks squad, found his passport ruined on his bed and had to scramble to arrange a new one. "I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the (team) manager and I just left it on my bedside table," the 26-year-old told New Zealand media. "My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone and it's gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners. "It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it's all sussed (sorted) now. "I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it, just trying to sort it out." Most of the All Blacks squad will fly out on Friday for Argentina where they play their Rugby Championship opener against the Pumas in Cordoba next week. Carter, who represented New Zealand in rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics and won a bronze with the squad at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, earned his first All Blacks call-up after his debut season with the Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby. Carter said he was out for breakfast with his partner and some of his teammates from provincial side Bay of Plenty when Robertson called to confirm his selection on Monday. "I got an unknown-number call. I guess I thought if there was a day to answer those it was probably (that day) and he just said congratulations," said Carter. "I honestly can't really remember what else he said after that. I was pretty emotional and pretty stoked to get a phone call like that. "All the boys were pretty pumped but I was still in a bit of a shock."
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Arsenal have ‘belief' to end trophy drought, says Mikel Arteta
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019-20. LONDON – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the Gunners believe this season will be different as they aim to get over a series of near misses at winning silverware. Arteta has not won a trophy since lifting the FA Cup in his debut season in charge in 2019-20. However, he has transformed Arsenal back into serial contenders for major trophies. His team have finished second in the Premier League for the past three years and reached the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009 last season. The pressure is now on the Spaniard to get over the line after another major investment in new players in the transfer window. Nearly £200 million was spent on new striker Viktor Gyokeres, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, centre-back Cristhian Mosquera, winger Noni Madueke and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga. 'We know what our targets are and what we want to achieve this season – there is a big belief in our ability to achieve that,' Arteta said on Aug 6. 'We have been very, very close the last few seasons and the whole team is going to determine whether we achieve that or not. But at the same time, we have to make sure that we don't lose sight of what we have to do on a daily basis to get to the levels that we want. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Singapore PUB investigating waste water discharge in Eunos: Pritam World Trump eyes 100% chips tariff, but 0% for US investors like Apple Business DBS shares hit record-high after Q2 profit beats forecast on strong wealth fees, trading income Business UOB Q2 profit drops 6% to $1.34 billion, missing forecast Singapore ST and Uniqlo launch design contest for Singapore stories T-shirt collection World White House says Trump open to meeting Russia's Putin and Ukraine's Zelensky Singapore MRT track issue causes 5-hour delay; Jeffrey Siow says 'we can and will do better' 'We have to set the demands that we want within this goal, because that's the most important thing – the internal demands have to always exceed any external demand. That is what we are trying to achieve.' Arteta added that he wants his players to feel 'invincible' at home thanks to a special connection with the club's fans. 'We want our people to start connecting with our players straight away, to start to build momentum and to start to feel that at home we are invincible,' he said. 'That we play with such passion, energy and connection with our people, that we are going to win the game.' Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign with a blockbuster trip to Manchester United on Aug 17. In other news, Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle hangs in the balance after the Swedish striker was reportedly told to train apart from the rest of the squad on Aug 6. The 25-year-old has been linked with a British transfer record move to Liverpool after failing to feature in Newcastle's pre-season preparations. He missed the Magpies' trip to Singapore and South Korea, citing a minor thigh injury, and instead flew to Spain to train at former club Real Sociedad. He has since returned to Tyneside but Sky Sports reported that he was instructed to train after the rest of the squad had departed on Aug 6. 'You have to earn the right to train with us. We will make sure that any player earns the right to train with the group. No player can expect to act poorly and train with the group as normal,' said manager Eddie Howe earlier in pre-season. Liverpool have seen a £110 million bid for Isak rejected, according to reports, with Newcastle seeking closer to £150 million. AFP
