Injuries hit New Zealand ahead of second West Indies Test

New Zealand have been dealt a massive injury blow with news that three key players will miss the remainder of the Test series against the West Indies.

Pace duo Matt Henry (calf) and Nathan Smith (side) hurt themselves during the opening Test of the series in Christchurch that finished as a draw and will miss the final two matches of the series, while key all-rounder Mitchell Santner hasn't recovered fully from his groin problem and also won't feature.

With first-choice keeper Tom Blundell also ruled out of the second Test after he picked up a hamstring problem on the opening day of the first Test, the Kiwis will be battling for personnel ahead of the next contest that commences at Basin Reserve in Wellington on Wednesday.

Keeper-batter Mitch Hay is likely to fill in for Blundell and earn a Test debut, while the Kiwis might also be tempted to include star all-rounder Glenn Phillips as he returns from his own injury issues.

Their bowling stocks will also need a re-shuffle in the absence of Henry and Smith, with back-up quick Blair Tickner almost certain to play in Wellington as uncapped duo Michael Rae and Kristian Clarke join the squad

Rae is in a similar mould to tall Kiwi fast bowler Kyle Jamieson and has been in good form at domestic level for local side Canterbury, while Rae has been doing similar with Northern Districts.

Jamieson only recently returned to red-ball action in New Zealand as he continues his recovery from a back problem and won't be rushed back, while fellow seamer Ben Sears is playing club cricket in Australia and won't be considered.

New Zealand will be looking for their bowling attack to provide some more potency after the loss of Smith and Henry allowed the West Indies to bat out the entire fifth day of the first Test to force an unlikely draw.

New Zealand squad: Tom Latham (c), Michael Bracewell, Kristian Clarke, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Rae, Rachin Ravindra, Blair Tickner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

West Indies squad: Roston Chase (c), Jomel Warrican (vc), Alick Athanaze, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Shai Hope, Tevin Imlach, Brandon King, Johann Layne, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields

Series schedule:

First Test: December 2-6, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Second Test: December 10-14, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Third Test: December 18-22, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui