Guptill out, Neesham in for Black Caps

Wellington: Black Caps opener Martin Guptill’s back injury is worse than first thought, forcing his withdrawal from the three-match Twenty20 series against India.

Guptill was officially ruled out of the series on Monday after missing the fifth one-day international in Wellington with a sore back suffered when throwing a ball at fielding practice.

It means allrounder Jimmy Neesham is added to the squad for game one at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium tomorrow.

Guptill underwent a fitness test at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Monday, scene of his mishap on Saturday where he was assisted off the field in pain.

He continued to feel pain in his lower back and coach Gary Stead confirmed Guptill would return to Auckland to rest, with an eye to returning for next week’s ODI series against Bangladesh.

Game one is in Napier on February 13. “Unfortunately Martin hasn’t recovered in time for this T20 series - which is very condensed with three games over five days,” said Stead.

“It’s great to have Jimmy coming into the side after some encouraging ODI performances.”

Black Caps squad:

Kane Williamson (captain), Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson (games 1 & 2), Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Blair Tickner (game 3).