Ravindra out of Australia series after 'major laceration'

New Zealand batter Rachin Ravindra has been ruled out of the Chappell-Hadlee T20I series against Australia after suffering a major laceration to his face during training on Tuesday.

Ravindra collided with the boundary boards during fielding practice at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui. He passed initial concussion tests but his injury required significant stitching.

Allrounder James Neesham, who was part of the New Zealand side for the T20 tri-series in Zimbabwe during July where he played one match, has been called up as his replacement.

"We're all really disappointed for Rachin to be forced to miss the series," head coach Rob Walter said. He sustained a major laceration to his upper lip and nose area which required specialist and intricate stitching and will take time to heal.

"Rachin is obviously an important player for us, but his health and wellbeing is our top priority, and so the decision was made to send him home to recover with an eye to being available for the England series in two weeks' time."

Ravindra has enjoyed his most successful run in T20Is during this year with scores of 69, 30, 3, 63 and 47 in his last five innings.

He adds to an extensive list of absentees for New Zealand in this series. They are missing captain Mitchell Santner (abdominal injury), Will O'Rourke (back), Glenn Phillips (groin), Finn Allen (foot), Adam Milne (ankle), Lockie Ferguson (hamstring) and Kane Williamson (unavailable).

While Neesham has been added to the squad, top-order batter Tim Robinson is another option for the starting XI on Wednesday. The three matches against Australia take place across just four days.