New Zealand lose key player to injury for Australia series

New Zealand have suffered a major blow on the eve of their three-match T20I series against Australia with news that star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra will miss the series due to injury.

Ravindra collided with a boundary hoarding during a fielding drill at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday and suffered a facial laceration that required stitches, with the Black Caps calling up experienced all-rounder Jimmy Neesham into their squad as his replacement.

The injury will force Ravindra to spend some time on the sidelines, with the left-hander to sit out the three-match battle against Australia that commences on Wednesday.

“We’re all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series,” New Zealand coach Rob Walter said.

“He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal.

“Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks’ time.”

Walter believes Neesham is more than capable of filling the void for Ravindra, should he win selection during the three-game series.

“We’re lucky to be able to call on Jimmy who brings all his experience and all-round capabilities," Walter added.

“It’s going to be a big night at Bay Oval and I know we’re all looking forward to getting the Chappell-Hadlee underway.”

New Zealand squad: Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi