Injured Faulkner out of New Zealand tour

Australia received another blow on the night of their humiliating defeat in the opening ODI against New Zealand after it was revealed that James Faulkner will be flying home with a hamstring injury.

Faulkner was one of the team's few positives in the defeat with both bat and ball, but the team's sports science manager Alex Kountouris explained that the allrounder had complained of stiffness while bowling that worsened when he had to bat.

"James reported increased stiffness in his right hamstring during the first innings tonight and found it difficult running during our batting innings," he said.

"Unfortunately, with the short turnaround between games we do not believe he will recover in time to take any further part in the series. As a result, he will return to Melbourne tomorrow to have scans and start rehabilitation.

"We are hopeful this is only a low grade injury but will know more in the coming days."

Marcus Stoinis, the Victoria allrounder, who made his international debut in England last year, will be drafted in to replace Faulkner, pulling out of the Sheffield Shield match between the Bushrangers and Tasmania in Melbourne to do so.