The 24-year-old dislocated his shoulder while fielding during Otago’s epic struggle against Central Districts at Pukekura Park on Wednesday night.
A world-record aggregate of 497 runs was smacked during the fixture and Barnes was trying to prevent one of the many boundaries scored that night when he sustained his injury.‘‘He dived to pull the ball in and when he rolled over he injured his shoulder,’’ Volts coach Rob Walter said.
It is a bitter blow for Barnes. He suffered a stress fracture last season which kept him sidelined for the second half of the summer.
He has also had a significant back problem in the past. His latest injury will keep him out of action for about three weeks.
Barnes will be replaced in the squad by all-rounder Sam Wells, who is returning from a groin injury.
Otago plays Canterbury at Hagley Oval today. The Volts (12 points) are in third place with three wins from five games, while Canterbury (eight points) is outside the top three with two from five games.
It is another important match in what is a very tight competition.
Barnes will be missed. While he proved to be expensive, he also took seven wickets.
Of greater concern to Otago is that it will lose the services of Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham after the Canterbury game. They will join the Black Caps for the one-day series against Bangladesh.
Neesham has been the pick of the Otago bowlers. He has six wickets at an average of 21.50 and has also made some valuable contributions with the bat.Broom is the second-leading scorer with 204 runs at an average of 68 and a very good fielder. The recalled Black Cap has been playing for Otago as an overseas player but he pulled out of the second year of his contract with Derbyshire to become eligible for New Zealand again.
His new status means Otago has freed up his salary and has started the search for a new overseas player. That player is likely to come from Australia. The Volts need someone fast and Australians can just skip over the Tasman without going to the trouble of getting a visa.
Otago v Canterbury
Hagley Oval, Chch, today, 4pm
Otago: Hamish Rutherford (captain), Anaru Kitchen, Neil Broom, Brad Wilson, Michael Bracewell, Jimmy Neesham, Josh Finnie, Derek de Boorder, Bradley Scott, Neil Wagner, Rhys Phillips, Christi Viljoen, Sam Wells.
Canterbury: Andrew Ellis (captain), Todd Astle, Jeremy Benton, Chad Bowes, Cam Fletcher, Peter Fulton, Matt Henry, Ben Hilfenhaus, Tim Johnston, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ed Nuttall.
