Kyle Jamieson. Photo:
Black Caps pace bowler Kyle Jamieson will undergo back surgery later this week casting doubt over his long term future in cricket.
It had been hoped Jamieson would play one of the two tests against England but he pulled out of the squad last week, because of a recurrence of the stress fracture he suffered on the tour of England in June last year.
He'd been working his way back to fitness playing domestic T20 and one day games for Auckland, as well as a game for the the New Zealand XI against England in Hamilton.
Jamieson came through those games without any problems but had a precautionary scan ahead of the England tests which indentified the latest problem.
"He's seen a surgeon and he's getting back surgery later in the week, so it's been a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a big loss for us," said Black Caps coach Gary Stead.
It's an injury which has spelt the end of some fast bowlers careers but Stead is hopeful Jamieson can return.
"We hope we will know more in three to four months and just what the prognosis is."
The absence of Jamieson is a major loss for the Black Caps, whose lack of depth in pace bowling stocks was underlined in the first test loss to England.
Neil Wagner and the New Zealand bowlers weren't on song in the first test against England. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Debutants Blair Tickner and Scott Kuggeleijn struggled to make the step up at times while veteran bowler Neil Wagner was far from his best.
"(Kyle) has been fantastic around all of our sides when he has been part of them so we wish him well."
Canterbury pace bowler Matt Henry will rejoin the squad for the second test in Wellington which starts on Friday having missed the first test loss in Tauranga due to the birth of his first child.
Uncapped seamer Jacob Duffy and spinner Ish Sodhi have been released from the squad and will return to their provinces to play Plunket Shield cricket.
-RNZ