New Zealand have been dealt a major blow on the eve of their Test series against England, with experienced fast bowler Kyle Jamieson ruled out due to a suspected back stress fracture.
New Zealand Cricket announced on Tuesday that another pacer, Matt Henry, will miss the first Test at Bay Oval due to the birth of his first child.
Uncapped Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleijn have been called into the squad and will arrive in Mount Maunganui on Tuesday afternoon ahead of the first day-night Test on Thursday.
Jamieson's suspected back stress fracture was discovered during an MRI scan, according to New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, and is a recurrence of the injury that kept him out of the England Test tour in June.
Jamieson has returned to play for the Auckland Aces in the Super Smash and Ford Trophy, as well as last week's New Zealand XI warm-up match against England in Hamilton, after injuring himself in England.
"It's really heartbreaking for Kyle to have this happen after he's worked so hard to get back on the field," Stead said.
"Since the injury in June we've certainly taken a cautious approach to managing his return with regular monitoring by our medical staff which has included scans.
"While Kyle isn't in pain, the evidence suggests he has a stress fracture, so he'll return to Christchurch today and have a CT scan on Friday before we decide what to do next."
Due to Cyclone Gabrielle, batter Tom Blundell and pitcher Henry Nicholls have also been delayed in joining the team. While Henry is expected to return to New Zealand's camp ahead of the second Test of the series, which begins on February 24 in Wellington.