In a major blow to New Zealand, pace spearhead Trent Boult has been ruled out of the final Test of the three-match series against South Africa in Hamilton after failing to recover from a leg injury.
The 27-year-old sustained the injury during the drawn first Test in Dunedin and subsequently ruled out of his side's eight-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second match in Wellington.
Reflecting on Boult's injury, national selector Gavin Larsen said that although the bowler did everything possible to get himself ready for the series-deciding clash, he would require some more time to recover fully.
"Trent did everything possible to get himself ready for this Test and is extremely disappointed to be missing out.While he has made good progress, after training yesterday we spoke with medical staff and it was agreed that Trent required a little further time to be ready for the demands of Test cricket," ESPNcricinfo quoted Larsen as saying.
Northern Districts all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn has been called up in the squad as a cover for Boult after Lockie Ferguson was unavailable due to an injury sustained in the Plunket Shield.
Earlier, Tim Southee was also ruled out of the final Test due to a hamstring injury which he sustained during Wellington Test, while most experienced batsman Ross Taylor also remained unavailable due to a calf tear.
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As a result, New Zealand will have only two frontline seamers - Neil Wagner and Matt Henry - in addition to all-rounders Colin de Grandhomme and James Neesham.
Larsen said that although the absence of Boult and Southee would test the depth of the side, he is confident of seeing good performances from Wagner and Henry.
"Not having Trent or Tim available tests the depth of our squad, but we're confident of the job that Neil and Matt can do for us," he said.
The final five-day match of the series between New Zealand and South Africa will take place at Seddon Park in Hamilton from Saturday.