Kyle Mills to return home due to injury

Kyle Mills has become the latest casualty in New Zealand's injury-plagued tour of England. Mills, who suffered a side strain during the Trent Bridge Test, has been ruled out of the NatWest Series and will return home later this week, while James Franklin, who joined the Test squad midway through the tour, will stay on as his replacement.

Mills had a disappointing debut Test, bowling just six overs in England's first innings, and not taking the field at all in their second innings. Franklin, who was returning to the Test side after more than three years, grabbed his opportunity, returning match figures of 6 for 163.

Mills is the second player to head home due to injury - Shane Bond was earlier forced to truncate his tour after failing to make a complete recovery from his back problems. He was replaced by Ian Butler.

The New Zealand Herald also reported that Daniel Vettori and Michael Papps, both of whom missed the Trent Bridge Test due to injuries, would stay on with the squad. Vettori is expected to recover from his hamstring strain in time for the NatWest Series, while Papps is nursing a broken finger in his left hand.

New Zealand begin their NatWest Series campaign with a match against England at Old Trafford on June 24.