Big blow for NZ as Conway ruled out of T20 WC final

DUBAI, Nov 12 (Agencies): The Black Caps have suffered a major blow ahead of Sunday's Twenty20 World Cup final against Australia after wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway was ruled out with a broken hand.

New Zealand's Conway will miss Sunday's showpiece after breaking his hand punching his own bat.

He picked up the injury when hitting his bat in frustration after being dismissed in the Black Caps' semi-final win over England on Wednesday.

Scans have revealed the 30-year-old broke his fifth metacarpal in his right hand.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead revealed Conway sustained the injury when he struck his bat immediately after being dismissed during Thursday's semifinal win over England in Abu Dhabi, with an X-ray confirming a break to his right hand fifth metacarpal.

New Zealand will bring Tim Seifert in to replace Devon Conway in Sunday's T20 World Cup final against Australia after the wicketkeeper-batsman broke his right hand with a frustrated punch of his bat following his dismissal against England.

Conway, who hit a 38-ball 46 in Wednesday's semi-final win, was sore and sorry after being ruled out of both the World Cup decider and the following tour of India. "While it's not the smartest thing he's done there's certainly an element of bad luck in the injury," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said.