Rib injury rules Neesham out of Kanpur Test

New Zealand allrounder Jimmy Neesham has been ruled out of the first Test against India in Kanpur due to a rib injury. But since he is expected to be fit for the second Test, which begins on September 30, New Zealand Cricket have opted not to name any replacements.

Neesham picked up the injury during training last Thursday, and it had affected his participation in the warm-up fixture against Mumbai in Delhi. He didn't bat in either innings and bowled just five overs.

Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach, expected Neesham to return to full fitness ahead of the second Test in Kolkata. "Jimmy was struck in the nets and has been in discomfort the last few days," he said. "It will take a few days for the bruising to go away, but it's very much a short-term injury."

This comes as yet another setback for Neesham, who hasn't played international cricket since the recurrence of a back injury last November. He is the second player from the squad in India to have fitness issues after Tim Southee had to return home with a ligament strain on his left ankle. Matt Henry was brought in.

Squad for first Test: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling.