It is unknown how serious Boult’s back injury is

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult will take no further part in the ongoing ODI series against England or in the one-off Twenty20 International either after he was diagnosed with a stress-related back injury.

While it is not known how serious the injury is, Boult’s absence will be a major blow for New Zealand as he took 13 wickets at an average of 24.84 during the two-Test series and six wickets at an average of 18 in the first two ODIs.

Boult complained of some discomfort in his back following New Zealand’s 13-run win via the Duckworth-Lewis method in the second ODI at The Oval.

With scans having confirmed an injury, Boult is due to return home on Monday and batsman Colin Munro has been called up as his replacement.

New Zealand opted to call up Munro instead of another bowler after left-arm seamer Ben Wheeler impressed by taking three wickets on debut in the third ODI in Southampton, which the Black Caps ended up winning by three wickets.