Unlucky Gillespie Suffers Injury, Bates Called Up

Unlucky Gillespie Suffers Injury, Bates Called Up

Mark Gillespie was set to join up with New Zealand in South Africa for a matter of hours before suffering an injury

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A side strain has ruled Mark Gillespie out of New Zealand's Twenty20 International series in South Africa and he has been replaced in the squad by Michael Bates.

Gillespie hadn't even joined up with the squad having himself been named as a replacement for Adam Milne, who suffered an Achilles injury.

Gillespie had to leave the field injured during Wellington's match against Central Districts and was subsequently diagnosed with an abdominal strain.

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"With the injuries to Adam Milne and Mark Gillespie we have taken the opportunity to add another bowler to the squad in Michael Bates," National Selection Manager Kim Littlejohn said.

"Michael is a promising bowler who performed well for Auckland last season and his recent experience during the Champions League in South Africa will be useful."

Bates played for Central Districts during the Champions League Twenty20 earlier this year and has played two One-Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals for his country.

The three-match series begins in Durban on 21st December before moving on to East London on 23rd December and ending in Port Elizabeth on 26th December.

New Zealand T20I squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Michael Bates, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Derek de Boorder, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Martin Guptill, Ronnie Hira, Nathan McCullum, Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Rob Nicol

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