Scott Styris to miss Bangladesh tour

Wellington:

All-rounder Scott Styris will miss New Zealand's tour of Bangladesh next month because of a partial stress fracture in his lower back.

Styris will remain in New Zealand to undertake a progressive strengthening program for six to eight weeks before beginning to bowl again in mid-October, New Zealand Cricket said on Sunday.

Styris said he hoped to be available for New Zealand's series against India later this year.

New Zealand will play one warmup match before meeting Bangladesh in five One-Day Internationals in early October.

The New Zealand squad named on Sunday, which will be captained by Daniel Vettori, includes uncapped fast bowler Hamish Bennett.

"Bennett has been included in the squad on the back of a solid (New Zealand-A) tour and multiple successful domestic seasons," coach and selector Mark Greatbatch said.

"He is an exciting fast bowler and we are sure he will make the most of this opportunity."

Top-order batsman Martin Guptill has been omitted from the squad but named in the New Zealand A team which will tour Zimbabwe, playing a two-day warmup match and three four-day matches against a Zimbabwe XI.

"We are keen for Martin Guptill to regain the form that made him such a force for the Blackcaps last year and we think that the four-day matches in Zimbabwe will give him the best opportunity to do that," Greatbatch said.

"As we develop depth for the coming 12 months and narrow our focus on the ICC Cricket World Cup next February it is important that we give players the opportunity to stake their claims for future selection. These tours offer the perfect opportunity for that to happen."

The New Zealand A team will be the first New Zealand team to play a Zimbabwean side since 2005.

"New Zealand Cricket in liaison with the New Zealand government has monitored the situation and we are comfortable with the improved conditions and stability in Zimbabwe," NZC chief executive Justin Vaughan said.

"A rejuvenated Zimbabwe has their sights set on test cricket and the New Zealand A tour will help provide experience and incentive for them to reach their goal, as well as strong competition for the New Zealand A team.

"The tour will, of course, be subject to our standard full safety and security check before the team departs."

A New Zealand delegation, including New Zealand Cricket Players Association chief Heath Mills, left for Zimbabwe on Sunday to examine tour preparations.

New Zealand: Daniel Vettori (captain), Hamish Bennett, Grant Elliott, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jesse Ryder, Aaron Redmond, Tim Southee, Shanan Stewart, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.

New Zealand A: James Franklin (captain), Graeme Aldridge, Brent Arnel, Nick Beard, Dean Brownlie, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Peter Ingram, Tim McIntosh, Chris Martin, Jeetan Patel, Bhupinder Singh, Reece Young.