Cricket: McCullum likely to miss T20 matches

Brendon McCullum has been troubled by a niggling back injury. Photo / Mark Mitchell

New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum is likely to miss the first two Twenty20 cricket matches against Pakistan.

McCullum has been troubled by a back injury since returning from last month's tour of India and underwent a fitness test today.

National team selection panel manager Glenn Turner said: "Following a fitness test Brendon McCullum reported back stiffness and this will almost certainly see him miss the first two Twenty20 matches against Pakistan.

"He has shown great determination and a great willingness to push through discomfort in order to help the Black Caps during the recent tour of India but because Brendon is committed to being a wicket-keeper batsmen for the Black Caps in limited overs cricket, we are taking a longer term view and will not risk further setbacks.

"The medical staff are confident that intensive treatment and the right rehabilitation will stabilise his injury and get him back to full fitness.

"As is normal procedure, he will be monitored closely and will complete another fitness test prior to the third Twenty20.

"He may be available for selection in the third Twenty20 as a batsmen but only if the testing and assessment prove that his involvement will not have a detrimental affect on his overall recovery and his ability to wicket-keep in the one-day series.

"Brendon is expected to be available for the first test (starting on January 7 at Hamilton) and during that period he will complete a programme that focuses on strengthening his back, including wicket-keeping specific exercises, to give him the best possible chance of playing a full part in the one-dayers."

New Zealand's first Twenty20 match against Pakistan is on Sunday at Auckland with the next two matches at Hamilton on Tuesday and Christchurch on Thursday.

The first of the six-match one-day international series is on January 22 at Wellington.

- NZPA