Wellington Oct 19 (IANS) Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi will replace injured Todd Astle for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series against India the New Zealand Cricket announced on Thursday.
"Astle suffered injury in a warm-up game between the Blackcaps and a President Board s XI in Mumbai on Tuesday. Further assessment and a scan confirmed Astle to have suffered a tear on his right side which will see him ruled out for around three weeks " New Zealand Cricket said in a statement.
The 31-year-old was on top of his game in the recently concluded one-day series between India A and New Zealand A picking up six scalps at an average of 27.83.
The Blackcaps coach Mike Hesson said it was cruel timing for Astle.
"Todd was really impressive in the recent New Zealand A tour over here and had done everything he possibly could to get himself ready for this series " said Hesson.
"He deserved this opportunity and everyone in the team is certainly feeling for Todd. He ll return to New Zealand and get himself ready for a big summer " he added.
New Zealand will play India in three ODI and similar number of T20Is in the series scheduled to begin from October 22.
--IANS
sam/mr
