Martin Guptill ruled out of England series with thumb injury

Martin Guptill, the New Zealand batsman, will have surgery next week on a thumb injury which will see him miss the remainder of the series against England.

Guptill, 26, requires surgery on a ligament injury to his left thumb which occurred during New Zealand's thrilling three-wicket win over England in the first One-Day International on February 17.

Guptill suffered a hamstring strain during the match, in which he opened the batting, and had to retire hurt early in New Zealand's chase. He, however, came back to score the winning runs in dramatic fashion, belting four fours and a six while playing on one leg to see his team home and finish on 27 not out.

The hamstring strain had ruled him out of the second ODI on Wednesday (February 20), which New Zealand lost by eight wickets, and the final ODI that will be played at the Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.

Paul Close, the New Zealand physiotherapist, said that while Guptill could continue playing in the short term with the thumb injury he needed to have surgery at some point.

"We felt it was best to get Martin right for the tour to England in May and June, so the next couple of months were seen as the best window to have the surgery," said Close in a statement.

Hamish Rutherford, the opener, had replaced Guptill in New Zealand's ODI squad.

England will play three Tests against New Zealand after the ODI series, with the first match starting on March 6 in Dunedin.