Senior New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor was Saturday ruled out of both the upcoming Pakistan and Australia one-day internationals after suffering a serious side strain.
Taylor was injured in Friday night’s third Twenty20 against Pakistan, which New Zealand won by 95 runs to seal the series 2-1.
New Zealand Cricket said in a statement he had been ruled out of the matches against Pakistan and Australia, but left open the possibility he would return for the two Tests against Australia in late February.
The good news for New Zealand was an indication that big-hitting skipper Brendon McCullum would return for the third match against Pakistan on January 31.
McCullum has been sidelined with a back complaint since late last year and missed the last three ODIs in the Sri Lanka series.
All-rounders Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott return to the ODI squad after missing the Sri Lanka matches because of injury, and Test wicketkeeper BJ Watling will replace Luke Ronchi after the first Pakistan ODI on Monday.
