Glenn Phillips, Finn Allen and Will O’Rourke ruled out of T20 series against Australia

New Zealand trio set to miss Australia’s T20 tour in October due to injury

(Web News)New Zealand’s hopes of kicking off their home summer against Australia on a winning note have suffered a setback with big hitters Glenn Phillips and Finn Allen ruled out of October’s trans-Tasman T20 series.

Australia take on the Black Caps in three T20 internationals in Mount Maunganui from October 1-4, which will be played for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy, as both nations continue their build up to next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

But New Zealand Cricket announced this morning – more than a month out from the first match – that Phillips (groin) and Allen would miss the series due to injury, along with fast bowler Will O’Rourke after scans revealed a stress fracture in his lower back.

O’Rourke and Allen are both set for at least three months on the sidelines, with the latter having undergone surgery on his right foot.

Black Caps white-ball captain Mitchell Santner is also “touch and go” for the Australian series as he prepares to undergo abdominal surgery after returning home from the Hundred with groin pain.Santner’s recovery is expected to take around a month, but Black Caps head coach Rob Walter said they would give their skipper every chance to play in the series.

“We expect to name him in our squad when we announce it in a couple of weeks’ time, and from there we can assess how his rest and rehabilitation progresses following surgery before making a call on the eve of the series,” Walter said in a statement.

“Mitch is a world-class player and a crucial part of our T20 side from a skills and leadership point of view.

“It’s disappointing to lose the services of Glenn and Finn who have played important batting roles in our T20 set up in recent times.