New Zealand lose Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes to injury ahead of India T20I series

New Zealand have been hit by two injuries, New Zealand Cricket confirmed on Friday, ahead of their five-match T20I series against India, with Mark Chapman and Zak Foulkes ruled out of the T20Is.

Chapman tore his left hamstring while playing in the inaugural edition of the European T20 Premier League and has been ruled out of the T20I assignments against India, though the batter is expected to be available for the subsequent five-match ODI series. Foulkes sustained a right hip flexor injury during a training session with Canterbury; his recovery timeline remains uncertain and New Zealand Cricket has yet to determine when the pacer could return to action. The Black Caps have named all-rounder Josh Clarkson and fast bowler Blair Tickner as replacements for Chapman and Foulkes.

New Zealand head coach Rob Walter offered his reaction to the setbacks and named the incoming players, saying, “I’m gutted for Mark and Zak and I wish them both a smooth recovery,” said Walter. “We’re fortunate to be able to lean on the expertise of Josh and Blair. I know they’re both very excited to be involved in what’s shaping up to be an epic T20 series.”

The five-match T20I series begins on October 22 and reunites the sides after they met in the final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year; India emerged victorious in that summit clash. The series is the first phase of India’s extended tour of New Zealand.

Opening batters Tim Seifert and Finn Allen are singled out as players to watch, having shown encouraging form in recent outings for New Zealand.

Mitchell Santner (C), Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Bevon Jacobs, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Tim Seifert, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner.

The five T20Is will be held across Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and Hamilton; the teams will then compete in five ODIs and two Test matches, making the Indian team's upcoming New Zealand tour an extended assignment spanning more than a month.