Matt Henry to replace injured Southee for India Tests

Tim Southee reported pain in his front foot when bowling in training and subsequent scans revealed a grade-two ligament strain in his left ankle.

Southee will be replaced in New Zealand's squad by Matt Henry, but is expected to be available for the one-day internationals that follow the Tests.

An ankle injury has ruled Tim Southee out of New Zealand's three-Test series with India, the Black Caps have confirmed.

The 27-year-old paceman reported pain in his front foot when bowling in training and subsequent scans revealed a grade-two ligament strain in his left ankle.

Southee will be replaced in New Zealand's squad by Matt Henry, but is expected to be available for the one-day internationals that follow the Tests.

"Tim has been working hard in preparation for this tour, so he's understandably very disappointed to be ruled out of all three Tests," said Black Caps coach Mike Hesson.

"The focus now is for Tim to give his ankle 7-10 days rest, before slowly building his bowling loads back up ahead of the ODI series.

"We've got a replacement who is ready to go in Matt Henry and he'll join the team before the start of the first Test."

The first Test between India and New Zealand starts in Kanpur on Thursday.