NZ A lose Keene, Lister, Sheat to injury for third India A red-ball match
Synopsis
New Zealand A have lost all three of their frontline seamers — Simon Keene (grade two hamstring tear), Fraser Sheat (side strain), and Ben Lister (right-side strain) — ahead of the series-deciding third red-ball match against India A. Meanwhile, India A are reportedly set to unleash Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna, turning the final Lincoln fixture into a sharply lopsided contest.
Key Takeaways
Simon Keene has a grade two left hamstring tear , ruling him out for three to four weeks .
Fraser Sheat sustained a left-side strain during the earlier India A fixtures and is also unavailable.
Ben Lister has not recovered from a right-side strain suffered in training with Auckland .
Danru Ferns (Otago Volts) has been called up; Brett Randell and Zak Gibson are retained.
India A are set to include Jasprit Bumrah , Ravindra Jadeja , and Prasidh Krishna in the final match.
The third match starts Saturday at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval , Lincoln, with the series level at two draws .
New Zealand A will head into the third and final red-ball fixture against India A severely depleted in pace, after frontline seamers Simon Keene, Ben Lister, and Fraser Sheat were all ruled out through injury. The match begins on Saturday at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln University, with the series level after two hard-fought draws.
Extent of the Injuries
Simon Keene has been diagnosed with a grade two tear in his left hamstring, ruling him out for the foreseeable future. Fraser Sheat suffered a left-side strain during the earlier matches against the Indian tourists and is similarly unavailable. Both players are expected to return to their domestic sides in three to four weeks, according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
Ben Lister, meanwhile, had been following a return-to-play programme after straining his right side during a training session with Auckland, but has not recovered in time for the series decider. His absence leaves New Zealand A without all three of its primary seam options from the opening fixtures.
Squad Changes for the Final Match
In response to the injury crisis, NZC has reshuffled the squad for the third game. Central Stags pacer Brett Randell and Northern Districts seamer Zak Gibson have been retained, while Otago Volts seamer Danru Ferns has been called up as a fresh addition. Tim Robinson will also remain with the A side after Henry Nicholls was elevated to the main ODI squad.
Larsen Backs Players Despite Setback
Former Black Caps player and current A-team manager Gavin Larsen expressed sympathy for the injured trio while backing the squad to respond. 'It’s always disappointing to see any player out injured, but unfortunately it’s part and parcel of any sport,' Larsen said.
'Simon and Fraser were impressive with the ball against a very good Indian side with a Test quality batting lineup. Ben worked hard to be available for this third match but unfortunately requires more time. We hope they all recover well and are back on the park soon,' he added.
Larsen also highlighted the broader value of the A programme, saying the series had genuinely tested the hosts. 'The two matches to date have been great games of cricket that have truly tested our players against extremely strong opposition. It’s a reminder how valuable the A programme is in terms of preparing players for international cricket and offering them regular playing opportunities at a level above domestic cricket.'
India A Eye Bumrah, Jadeja, Krishna Appearances
India A are reportedly set to include Test-bound stars Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, and Prasidh Krishna in the final fixture to give them valuable match practice. Their participation would substantially raise the competitive stakes of the match, particularly for a depleted New Zealand A pace attack.
New Zealand A Squad for Third Match
Adi Ashok, Matt Boyle, Max Chu (wk), Danru Ferns, Dean Foxcroft, Zak Gibson, Curtis Heaphy, Rhys Mariu, Jarrod McKay, Cam Paul, Dale Phillips, Brett Randell, and Tim Robinson.
With three pacers out and India A potentially fielding full-strength Test players, the final red-ball game at Lincoln shapes up as a stern examination of New Zealand A’s depth and adaptability.
Point of View
Jadeja and Krishna in the same match. What was billed as a competitive third red-ball fixture now risks becoming an exercise in damage limitation for the hosts. The deeper issue is squad fragility: New Zealand A’s reliance on the same pace trio across all three games, with insufficient cover, is a planning question the A programme will need to address. Gavin Larsen’s praise for the series is genuine, but the injury toll complicates the very readiness narrative the A programme is meant to build.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Simon Keene, Ben Lister and Fraser Sheat missing from NZ A’s third match against India A?
All three pacers have been ruled out through injury. Simon Keene has a grade two left hamstring tear, Fraser Sheat sustained a left-side strain during the earlier fixtures, and Ben Lister has not recovered from a right-side strain suffered in a training session with Auckland.
When and where is the third NZ A vs India A red-ball match?
The match begins on Saturday at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University. The first two games of the series both ended in draws.
Who replaces the injured pacers in the NZ A squad?
Danru Ferns of the Otago Volts has been called up as a replacement, while Brett Randell and Zak Gibson have been retained. Tim Robinson also stays on after Henry Nicholls moved to the senior ODI squad.
Will Jasprit Bumrah play in the third India A match?
India A are reportedly set to include Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Prasidh Krishna in the final fixture to give them match practice ahead of the Test series. No official confirmation was available at the time of writing.
How long will Keene and Sheat be out of action?
Both Simon Keene and Fraser Sheat are expected to return to their respective domestic sides in three to four weeks, according to New Zealand Cricket.
