Michael Bates replaces injured Mark Gillespie

Michael Bates, the Auckland seamer, has been named as a replacement for Mark Gillespie in New Zealand's Twenty20 squad for the tour of South Africa. Gillespie had originally been named as a replacement for Adam Milne, but he has been ruled out because of a side strain.

Gillespie had to leave the field on the third day of the Plunket Shield match between Wellington and Central Districts and tests revealed that he had strained an abdominal muscle.

"With the injuries to Adam Milne and Mark Gillespie, we have taken the opportunity to add another bowler to the squad in Michael Bates," national selection manager Kim Littlejohn said. "Michael is a promising bowler who performed well for Auckland last season and his recent experience during the Champions League in South Africa will be useful."

Bates has played three Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand, the last of which was against South Africa in February. He will join the squad in South Africa on Friday. New Zealand will play three Twenty20 internationals in Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth on December 21, 23 and 26.