Wellington, Feb 8: Captain Kane Williamson will miss New Zealand’s two-test home cricket series starting Feb 17 against South Africa with an elbow injury.
The strain injury, which can’t be corrected by surgery, also caused Williamson to miss New Zealand’s recent series against Bangladesh. His most recent test was against India in November.
The retirement of veteran Ross Taylor will leave New Zealand with one of its thinnest batting lineups in recent years, with the bowling allrounder Daryl Mitchell likely to bat as high as No. 5.
Coach Gary Stead has recalled batsman Hamish Rutherford and allrounder Colin de Grandhomme to an enlarged 15-man squad which also includes uncapped wicketkeeper Cam Fletcher and seamer Blair Tickner.
Rutherford last played a test in 2015. New ball bowler Trent Boult will miss the first test while awaiting the birth of his third child. (AP)
