Leg-spinner Mason Crane has been ruled out of the Test series against New Zealand after being diagnosed with a stress fracture lower back with Somerset's left-arm spinner Jack Leach called up.
Crane (pictured in action by Dave Vokes), who was unlikely to feature in the series, felt discomfort earlier this week during training in Hamilton. He had initially been named in the squad for the first two-day warm-up match with the pink ball, and as recently as Thursday was bowling on the outfield at Seddon Park, but was sent for two scans which revealed the injury that will rule him out of the start of the domestic season for Hampshire.
"The scan results have shown he has a partial stress fracture of the back, we've caught it relatively early so unfortunately, he's going home," Chris Silverwood, England's bowling coach, said.
"Like anybody would be, he's a little bit upset he's going home but that's life and part and parcel of professional sport."
Crane (pictured in action by Dave Vokes), who was unlikely to feature in the series, felt discomfort earlier this week during training in Hamilton. He had initially been named in the squad for the first two-day warm-up match with the pink ball, and as recently as Thursday was bowling on the outfield at Seddon Park, but was sent for two scans which revealed the injury that will rule him out of the start of the domestic season for Hampshire.
"The scan results have shown he has a partial stress fracture of the back, we've caught it relatively early so unfortunately, he's going home," Chris Silverwood, England's bowling coach, said.
"Like anybody would be, he's a little bit upset he's going home but that's life and part and parcel of professional sport."
