Tim Southee is aiming for a timely recovery as he embarks on the journey to regain full bowling fitness ahead of the World Cup. Southee, who dislocated his thumb during a series against England, has started to increase his bowling workload, offering hope for his swift return to action.

Despite his dislocated thumb still being tender and marked by scars, Southee is making progress. The injury occurred during an ODI against England on September 15, resulting in the insertion of a plate and screws into his hand for stabilization.

Speaking about his recovery, Southee acknowledged the lingering tenderness around the surgical site, saying, “It’s still a bit tender where obviously there’s a bit of scarring and a bit of numbness around where the plate is. “

The outlook was not always so positive. Southee described the past few weeks as “crazy” and highlighted the urgency to be fit for the World Cup. He explained that the rapid recovery strategy involved the insertion of screws and a plate in his thumb. Southee expressed gratitude for the support and the efficient recovery process that allowed him to reach this stage.

Reflecting on his past World Cup experiences, Southee’s dedication to representing New Zealand shines through. In 2011, New Zealand was the sole non-Asian team to reach the semi-finals. They came close to lifting the trophy in 2015 but faced disappointment. In 2019, they made it to the final and didn’t lose the match but lost the title due to a boundary count back.

As New Zealand aspires to go one step further in the upcoming World Cup, the core of the team, though currently nursing injuries, may find themselves reminiscing about the joys and heartbreak of past campaigns. Players like Kane Williamson and Trent Boult, who shared the heartbreak of 2015 and 2019 with Southee, also cherish the sweet memories, including the recent triumph in the inaugural World Test Championship final.