The Black Caps will be without pace bowler Will O'Rourke for their upcoming home white-ball series against India as a precaution to rehabilitate his recent hamstring and calf injuries.
The Black Caps quick will miss the India tour to ensure he is fully fit for the four-Test Australia tour in December.
O'Rourke was kept out of the game for several months with a back injury and then suffered a hamstring tear on his return against England at the end of August.
Black Caps coach Rob Walter said the decision to miss the India series was made in conjunction with O’Rourke and the medical team.
“It’s obviously disappointing for Will to have to miss such a marquee tour at home against India,” said Walter.
“He was set to feature in both the ODI and Test series, but following subsequent discussions, we all agreed it was best for him to take some more time to rehabilitate both injuries and safely build up his bowling loads.
“Ideally, he'll be able to return for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield in late December, and in a perfect world he’ll be ready to go for the opening Test against Australia in Perth on December 9.”
O'Rourke's withdrawal from the tour adds to yesterday's announcement that Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes have both been ruled out of the T20 series against India with injury concerns for the pair.
Chapman suffered a hamstring tear while playing in Europe, while Foulkes injured his right hip flexor in a training session with Canterbury.
Allrounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner have been called in to the T20I squad to replace them.
"I’m gutted for Mark and Zak, and I wish them both a smooth recovery,” said Walter.
“We’re fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know they’re both very excited to be involved in what’s shaping up to be an epic T20 series.”
The Black Caps start their white-ball series against India on October 22 with the first of five T20Is.
Updated BLACKCAPS T20I squad v India:
Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.
SHARE ME