‘It’s all good news’ about Foxcroft’s injured knee

Dean Foxcroft. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Dean Foxcroft. Photo: Peter McIntosh
Dean Foxcroft has not been brought to his knees yet.

The Otago captain did pick up a knee injury during the last game, though.

He hobbled out to bat at No 11 and helped Otago hold on for a draw against Canterbury at Hagley Park.

The 25-year-old right-hander displayed all the mobility of a zimmer frame, but he was still able to find the middle of the bat.

Before the weather closed in and the game was called off, he managed to crack three fours and a six without cracking his knee further.

He picked up the injury in a heavy fall while attempting to make a catch.

His prospects of playing against Central Districts on Monday looked slim. But he has had the all clear from the doctor. There is no major damage, just some bruising.

Now it is up to the Volts physio to decide whether he is fit enough to play.

But Foxcroft is keen and Otago desperately need him on the field.

The Volts are already missing former captain Hamish Rutherford, who has opted to sit out the opening four games of the Plunket Shield to rest his dodgy hips.

Remove Foxcroft from the order as well and the Volts are left with a very inexperienced top six.

Keeper Max Chu would likely assume the captaincy and perhaps Llew Johnson or Ollie White would take Foxcroft’s spot.

But not if he has anything to say about it.

"It is all good news. There is nothing serious to worry about," he said when asked about his knee.

"I should be available for the next one, hopefully. I’ve just got to do a couple of fitness tests and we’ll take it from there.

"I think I should be fine, but you never know what the physio is thinking."

Otago will name their side today.

One player who can expect to read their name is Jamal Todd.

The 19-year-old emerged from nowhere to claim a spot in the Otago first-class side for their opener against Northern Districts.

Essentially he was filling a place in the order made vacant by Rutherford's absence.

He made a three-ball duck in his maiden innings and just 10 in his second knock — Otago was dismissed for just 77 in that innings.

But he showed his potential against Canterbury last week. He scored 30 and 64 at a time when Otago was under an enormous amount of pressure.

He also picked up his maiden wicket when he bowled Cole McConchie, who would most definitely want that shot back again.

Still, it was a nice moment for the teenager, who Foxcroft said was fitting in well.

"He is a great young kid who has just arrived on the block now and he put in some gutsy performances," Foxcroft said.

"He is a great talent and he wants to learn about cricket and his game as well. He has been with us the whole preseason and worked with Dion [Ebrahim, Otago coach] as well.

"He’s got a great future ahead of him. He showed in that second innings he can bat for long periods of time against a great bowling attack. He played international player Kyle Jamieson pretty well, so he is a good guy for the future for Otago."

That is exactly what Otago need — players who can occupy the crease.

The Volts have had a tough start to the season.

They lost by an innings and 32 runs to Northern Districts and only escaped Christchurch with a draw thanks to the rain.

They were thoroughly outplayed across all four days. The Volts were five down for 135 and five down for 101 in that match.

They found themselves in even deeper water against Northern Districts, at five down for 77 and five for 24.

It is not often a team will bounce back from setbacks like that to win.

The Volts need to get more out of their top order. Much more. Foxcroft included. He has scored just 71 runs at an average of 23.67 so far.

For a player of his calibre that represent a very modest start to the campaign.

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