Injured Anderson out of Test tour

Allrounder Corey Anderson has been ruled out of New Zealand's Test series in Australia due to an ongoing back problem. Anderson has been replaced by the uncapped Mitchell Santner for the three-Test series, which begins in Brisbane early next month.

Anderson was sent home from the tour of England in June due to the stress-related back problem, and he missed the limited-overs tour of Africa that followed. He was named to make his return to the national side in the Australian series but was behind in his recovery schedule and will now continue his rehabilitation in New Zealand.

"Corey hasn't been able to recover as quickly as we hoped and we've chosen not to try to rush him back," the New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said. "We've always said there were a number of checkpoints for him to meet before our departure date, and we're now in a position to confirm he's not ready. With that in mind, it's better for him to continue his rehabilitation at Lincoln."

Anderson's absence provides an opportunity for Santner, the left-hand batsman and left-arm spinner. Santner made his ODI and T20 international debuts in England this year and was initially picked for the tour of Africa that followed but had to withdraw due to a fractured thumb.

"Mitch clearly isn't a direct, like-for-like replacement for Corey - but in terms of the bigger picture he's an allrounder who can bat at No. 6 or 7 and he's also a front-line bowler," Larsen said. "It's a good opportunity for him. We believe his left-arm spin will add some variety to our options and his batting is well-suited to the conditions expected across the Tasman."

The first Test begins at the Gabba on November 5, followed by the second Test at the WACA starting on November 13. The tour finishes with the inaugural day-night Test using a pink ball at Adelaide Oval from November 27 to December 1.