Pins or screws will be inserted into the right thumb and, if the procedure is successful, will need to make sure Tim can tolerate pain and manage the wound when he returns to practice and play, Stead said.

Our opening World Cup game against England is not until Thursday, October 5 in Ahmedabad, so that would be a logical target in terms of his availability.

Tim is obviously a very experienced and important figure in our team and we want to give him every chance to be involved in this World Cup campaign, he added.

Southee, who last took part in the tournament in India in 2011, will be playing in his fourth ODI World Cup.

The Black Caps team, who lost 1-3 in the ODI against England, have traveled to Bangladesh for the three-match ODI series that starts on Thursday.

On September 29 and October 2, the Black Helmets will take on teams from Pakistan and South Africa in World Cup warm-up matches.to nthe start of the tournament against England on October 5.