McCullum will not feature in the final ODI against Sri Lanka

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum will be sidelined for the fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka at Mount Maunganui at he has not sufficiently recovered from a back injury.

McCullum injured himself while fielding during the second ODI in Christchurch and subsequently missed the third ODI, which Sri Lanka won by eight wickets, and the fourth ODI, which was abandoned due to bad weather.

“He’s really struggling,” New Zealand head coach Hesson said. “He hasn’t progressed as well as we’d thought. He will get a further assessment.”

New Zealand will also be without pace bowler Tim Southee as he is still nursing a foot injury he suffered in the third ODI in Nelson.

However, there is some good news for the Black Caps as left-arm seamer Trent Boult is set to return to the side after being rested for the first four games.