Ben Sears. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
A knee injury has ruled Black Caps pace bowler Ben Sears out of the test series against India beginning on Wednesday.
Sears experienced pain in his left knee while training during the recent test series in Sri Lanka and underwent scans on his return to New Zealand.
Scans revealed a tear to his meniscus and on medical advice the 26-year-old will not travel to India.
Otago Volts bowler Jacob Duffy has been called into the side as Sears' replacement but will not arrive in time for the start of the first test.
Duffy has featured in six ODIs and 14 T20Is for New Zealand and currently has 299 first-class wickets to his name.
Black Caps head coach Gary Stead said he was hopeful Sears would make a fast recovery.
"We're obviously disappointed for Ben who made a strong start to his test career during the home summer and offers a genuine pace option," he said.
"It remains to be seen how long we'll be without him for, but we're hopeful his road to a full recovery will be a short one."
Stead said Duffy was a chance to make his test debut during the three-test series.
Selecting players at a time when no domestic cricket was being played in New Zealand could be challenging, Stead said.
"Jacob's recent experience playing for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship certainly pushed his place. His performances in white-ball cricket for the Black Caps have always been impressive and we're confident he'll be able to contribute if called upon."
Sears' unavailability gives former captain Tim Southee a better chance of being selected for the test - the first of which will be played since he stepped down from the skipper role.
The test series against India begins on Wednesday evening at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.