CRAIG OUT OF TEST SERIES DUE TO SIDE STRAIN, PATEL NAMED REPLACEMENT

New Zealand’s chances in the Test series against India suffered a major blow with offspinner being ruled out of the remaining two matches. He will be replaced by , who last played for New Zealand in January 2013. Craig, who suffered a side strain, was New Zealand’s best spinner, and the most accurate, in the Kanpur Test even though that didn’t show in his match figures of two wickets for 139 runs. Craig had made a comeback to the side in Kanpur after missing all four Tests on the recent tour of Africa.

“We’re really disappointed for Mark, knowing the work he’s put in to prepare for this series,” New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said. “He started well with the ball in the first innings, before developing the side strain.”

Patel, who averages 48.46 in Test cricket, was the in the 2016 English County Championship with 69 wickets for Warwickshire and was on Monday named the Most Valuable Player in the Professional Cricketers’ Association rankings for the season. “Jeetan is up to speed from a bowling load perspective having recently completed a successful county season - so he will be ready for the rigours of Test cricket,” Hesson said. “He’ll also add invaluable experience to our young spin group.”

Craig is expected to take four weeks to recover from his injury. This was the third injury blow for the tourists. Tim Southee was of the Test series with an ankle injury but could come back for the ODIs. Allrounder Jimmy Neesham missed the first Test after being in the nets in Delhi, but has been bowling in the nets in Kanpur. Kane Williamson, the New Zealand captain, admitted Patel had not been on the selectors’ radar before the start of the tour.