Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the first ODI between New Zealand and Bangladesh due to "a small tear in his left hamstring". All-rounder Mark Chapman has been included in the squad as cover for Taylor, reports Cricbuzz.
Taylor picked up the injury while fielding during the Plunket Shield game between Central Stags and Wellington Firebirds on Sunday. The senior batsman, who will assemble with the rest of the squad in Dunedin on Wednesday (March 17), will stay with the team while undergoing treatment and monitoring.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said he's hopeful that Taylor will recover from the injury and be fit for the last two games of the series.
"It's a shame for Ross to have this happen on the eve of a series," Stead said. "It's a small tear and we're hopeful after some rest and rehabilitation we can get him fit for the second game in Christchurch.
"It's an exciting time for Mark who's come in and performed well recently for the T20 side, so we have full confidence he can do the job if called upon."
The first ODI will be played at the Univeresity Oval in Dunedin on March 20 while the second game will be held at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on March 23. The third and final ODI is scheduled on March 26 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. This will be New Zealand's first series in the World Cup Super League.
