Black Caps pace bowler Tim Southee has been ruled out of New Zealand cricket's three match test series against India with an ankle injury.
Tim Southee Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Southee felt pain in his front foot while bowling in training, with a scan showing a grade two ligament strain in his left ankle.
He will return home for rest and rehab, but is expected to be available for the one-day leg of the tour beginning mid-October.
Canterbury's Matt Henry will replace Southee in the squad.
Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said it was unfortunate, but something that should come right reasonably quickly with rest.
"Tim has been working hard in preparation for this tour, so he's understandably very disappointed to be ruled out of all three tests," Hesson said.
"The focus now is for Tim to give his ankle 7-10 days rest, before slowly building his bowling loads back up ahead of the ODI series.
"We've got a replacement who is ready to go in Matt Henry and he'll join the team before the start of the first test."
Meanwhile the Black Caps lead Mumbai by 295 runs after the opening day of their three-day warm up match in India.
Batting first the tourists declared on 324 for 7, with captain Kane Williamson scoring 50 and opener Tom Latham top scoring with 55.
In reply Mumbai were 29 for 1 at stumps.
-RNZ
