Martin Guptill ruled out of New Zealand's series against Pakistan
New Zealand opening batsman Martin Guptill has been ruled out of New Zealand's tour to the United Arab Emirates with a left calf strain.
Guptill picked up the injury playing in the Plunket Shield domestic competition and subsequent scans have shown that he will require at least a four week rehabilitation period.
The white-ball leg of the tour, that features three T20Is and three ODIs, takes place from the end of this month to November 11th. The Test series does not start until November 16th so there is a chance he might return to fitness in time for that, but Guptill hasn't played Test cricket for his country for over two years.
Martin Guptill smashed the highest ever score in World Cup history during his 163-ball 237 to set up New Zealand's win over West Indies in CWC15.
“Gary Stead and I will work through the possible replacement options. We now have three spots to fill in the T20 and one-day squads.”
Whoever is drafted in to replace Guptill will have big shoes to fill. Guptill has been one of the most destructive and consistent players for New Zealand in recent years in limited overs cricket. The T20I series begins on October 31st in Abu Dhabi.
