Aaron Hardie To Miss T20I Series Against New Zealand Due To Calf Injury

Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie is set to miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand as he has suffered a calf injury. Hardie was not initially chosen for the three-match series, which begins in Wellington on Wednesday, but was added to the side on Friday after Marcus Stoinis was ruled out with a back injury. Before joining the team, the all-rounder was playing for Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania in Hobart.

Hardie was scheduled to fly to Wellington on Monday morning and would miss the fourth day of the Shield clash. However, the batter had some issues with his calf while bowling on the second day and was rushed for a scan. He was taken off the pitch on day three as a precaution and was also removed from the New Zealand Series.

Western Australia coach Adam Voges has said that he will be available to bat on the last day if required.

"He has got a tight calf. It is more precautionary. He will bat if required tomorrow. Hopefully, it is nothing too significant," Voges said.

Earlier, Marcus Stoinis had been ruled out of Australia's three-match T20I series against New Zealand due to a back issue.

Stoinis strained his back during the warm-up for the second T20I against the West Indies in Adelaide last Sunday, but he still managed to play. He played an inning of 16 off 15 with the bat, but he also contributed to Glenn Maxwell's 80-run partnership before taking 3 for 36 to maintain his superb bowling record.

Australia's vice-captain and wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is also scheduled to miss the first game of the series on Wednesday in Wellington owing to the birth of his child but is anticipated to return for the remaining two games in Auckland on Friday and Sunday.

Matthew Short,