Black Caps all-rounder Mitchell Santner is set to spend at least a month on the sidelines after suffering a grade-three ACL injury to his shoulder.
The 34-year-old hurt his left shoulder while fielding for Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians during a recent match against the Chennai Super Kings.
In a statement released Friday evening, New Zealand Cricket said Santner was assessed by a specialist who confirmed he would need a month-long period of rest and rehabilitation.
Santner will miss the Black Caps' one-off Test against Ireland in Belfast later this month, along with the opening Test of the England series.
His availability for the second and third Tests against England would be assessed closer to the time.
NZ Cricket is expected to name its squad for the Ireland and England Tests in the coming days.
The four-day Test against Ireland begins at Stormont in Belfast on May 27.
The three-Test series against England follows, with matches at Lord’s from June 4-8, The Oval from June 17-21, and Trent Bridge from June 25-29.
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