McCullum, Southee ruled out of fifth ODI
New Zealand are set to be without skipper Brendon McCullum for the fifth and final ODI against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, after he failed to recover from a back injury.
McCullum, already suffering from chronic back problems, dived to stop a ball in the second match and aggravated his lower back, and the staff would rather he rest up before the Australia Tests at home.
New Zealand lead the series 2-1 after the fourth ODI was washed out. They are also set to be without paceman Tim Southee, while Doug Bracewell will be rested and Trent Boult brought back in.
Coach Mike Hesson said of McCullum: "He's really struggling, and hasn't progressed as well as we would have thought so he's probably unlikely tomorrow.
"Long term, he'll get some assessment now – he wasn't playing in the T20s so he's going to have a decent break before Pakistan arrive and certainly before Australia arrive."
As for Southee, who injured his foot in the third ODI, Hesson added: "He certainly won't be playing in this game, and he's probably unlikely in the T20s, but we'll know a bit more tomorrow.
"There's nothing major, it's just a matter of time. It was really unfortunate he got injured because he's certainly been one of our better-performed one-day bowlers but we've got to be a bit cautious, especially with the summer we've got ahead."
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