New Zealand and Australia have been dealt injury setbacks ahead of the third T20I, with Devon Conway and David Warner ruled out of the final match. Conway injured his left thumb while wicketkeeping during the second match, forcing him to leave the field. Finn Allen took over the wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the game, and Conway didn't participate further.
Initial X-rays showed no fracture, but he will undergo further assessment with a hand specialist in Wellington. Tim Seifert, previously sidelined with an abductor tear, passed a fitness test and will join the New Zealand squad for the final match, along with pacer Jacob Duffy for added bowling depth.
"There is a little bit of a concern because we're not one hundred per cent sure yet exactly how it's going to respond over the next three or four days," Stead told reporters in Auckland as quoted from cricket.com.au.
"We've still got a little bit of time, and I think at the end of the day it will come down to pain management and what he can do in that space around making sure he feels comfortable at the crease," he added.
Meanwhile, Australia will be without David Warner due to groin soreness, with Cricket Australia confirming his absence and anticipating his return for the Indian Premier League. Despite the injuries, Australia holds an unassailable 2-0 lead going into the final T20I at Eden Park.
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