Zimbabwe's opening batsman, Hamilton Masakadza, has been ruled out of the second cricket test against New Zealand which begins at Bulawayo tonight.
Hamilton Masakadza batting during the 2012 ICC Twenty20 World Cup in Sri Lanka Photo: Photosport
Masakadza is nursing a left lower-back strain from the first test, which the Black Caps won by an innings and 117 runs last weekend.
It's a major blow to the hosts' already slim hopes. with the 32-year-old's 30 test appearances making him Zimbabwe's most experienced player.
Masakadza is the only omission from the 15-man squad from the first test, with his place taken by the offspinner John Nyumbu.
Meanwhile, Black Caps have spent the week recovering from a flu that went through the team, causing some players to lose their voices
-Reuters