New Zealand opener Martin Guptill will miss the Twenty20 series against Bangladesh with a hamstring injury and will be replaced by in-form batsman Neil Broom.
Martin Guptill in action against Bangladesh during the third ODI in Nelson on 31 December 2016. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Guptill will be sidelined for up to four weeks after he sustained the injury while running between the wickets in the third one-day international against Bangladesh at Saxton Oval in Nelson yesterday.
Broom was in fine form during the ODI series against Bangladesh, scoring 109 (not out) and 97 runs in his last two innings as the hosts completed a 3-0 series sweep.
Coach Mike Hesson confirmed Guptill would return home to recover with an eye to later returning to the Ford Trophy for some games prior to the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series starting January 30th.
"Martin's obviously a key player for us with the white ball so to lose him is disappointing," Hesson said.
"We're confident with some rest, followed by a couple of domestic games, he'll be ready to play a big role against Australia at the end of January."
"We needed to replace an attacking opening batsmen and with Neil's experience opening in the T20 format and his current form -- he was a ready-made replacement," coach Mike Hesson said in a statement.
"Martin also leads our fielding in white ball cricket and so we're expecting Neil to be a big contributor in that area as well."
New Zealand will begin their three-match Twenty20 series against Bangladesh at McLean Park on Tuesday.
-Reuters/RNZ
