New Zealand opener Martin Guptill ruled out of Pakistan series with calf strain

Sport360 staff 16:13 19/10/2018
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  • New Zealand have been dealt a major blow ahead of their tour of the UAE where they take on Pakistan with opening batsman Martin Guptill ruled out with a calf injury.

    The Kiwi limited-overs openers sustained a strain on his left calf and his name has now been withdrawn from both the T20 and ODI squads for the series.

    The 32-year-old, who picked up the injury during a first-class game for Auckland, is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks at least.

    “Unfortunately for Martin it will take him some time to get over this injury,” New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said.

    “And, with a long summer ahead, we need to make sure we minimise the risk of him repeating it.”

    The tour of the UAE is set to be newly appointed coach Gary Stead’s first assignment and will see the Black Caps take on Pakistan in three T20s, three ODIs and three Tests.

    Two spots in the limited-overs squads had been left open for the best performers from the New Zealand A team which are currently in the UAE. With Guptill’s injury, an additional spot is now up for grabs.

    “Gary Stead and I will work through the possible replacement options. We now have three spots to fill in the T20 and one-day squad,” Larsen stated.

    New Zealand’s tour of the UAE gets underway at the end of the month with the first of the three T20s taking place on October 31.

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