Kiwi pacer Tim Southee out of India series with injury

Just 4 days ahead of their first Test against India on September 22, New Zealand's squad has received a shake-up. Veteran bowler Tim Southee has suffered a grade 2 ligament tear after suffering an ankle injuring during a practice session, it has been revealed.

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson on Friday said, "Tim has been working hard in preparation for this tour, so he's understandably very disappointed to be ruled out of all three Tests," reported cricbuzz.

"The focus now is for Tim to give his ankle 7-10 days rest, before slowly building his bowling loads back up ahead of the ODI series. We've got a replacement who is ready to go in Matt Henry and he'll join the team before the start of the first Test."

Tim Southee's experience over 52 Tests, where he took 177 wickets, will be missed sorely as the Kiwis look to lock horns with India in their own backyard. Southee last played India in their New Zealand tour where he ended with 11 wickets in the two Tests. However, the last time the Kiwis had visited India in 2012, Southee had taken his career-best figure of 7/64 at the Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.

Matt Henry, relatively, is a novice having played just 4 Tests with 10 wickets to his name so far.