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Martin Guptill out of India ODI series finale with back injury

Written by N Krishnamurthy

Black Caps opener Martin Guptill has been ruled out of tomorrow’s fifth and final One Day International against India at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium, having injured his back during training today.

Guptill, 32, has aggravated a lower back injury during the Black Caps’ fielding practice this afternoon.

In a statement, the Black Caps said Guptill’s injury was not serious, with the opener to sit out of tomorrow’s clash as a precaution ahead of the three-match T20 series with India, which begins in Wellington on Wednesday.

Guptill’s absence could mean a return to the side for dropped opener Colin Munro, who was axed in favour of Henry Nicholls during the Black Caps’ eight-wicket win over India in Hamilton earlier this week.

Colin Munro will be joining the squad on the morning of the game.

Guptill, like Munro, is not having a great series as he has just scored 47 in four innings so far. He was struggling for the runs and an injury has further added to the woes of the opener. Should Guptill sit out of the fifth ODI, it will be a chance for Munro to play a big innings and keep his place in the ODI team. He is currently playing the ongoing Suoer Smash match for Auckland against Northern Knights.

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N Krishnamurthy