Injured Vettori ruled out of NZ cricket

Saturday, 22 June 2013 06:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand cricketer Daniel Vettori has undergone surgery on his left Achilles tendon, ruling him out of the two Twenty20 matches against England later this month. The left-arm spinner had only recently returned to the national side after nearly a year out but has looked uncomfortable fielding and dropped down the order to No.10 against England in the Champions Trophy.

“Dan has been suffering from this injury for the past year and surgery was the only option to prolong his career with the Black Caps,” Physiotherapist Paul Close said. Injuries to Grant Elliott and Tim Southee have ruled them out of the Twenty20 matches against England on June 25 and 27, while Kane Williamson and Luke Ronchi have left the squad. Test opener Hamish Rutherford will join the squad, along with Tom Latham and spinner Roneel Hira. The Kiwis will prepare for the series with a match against Kent on Saturday. Squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Matin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.