Blackcaps captain Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh so he can rest and rehabilitates a troublesome left elbow injury.
Williamson has a small tear in his left-elbow tendon and New Zealand Cricket says he has been experiencing irritation in the back-half of the summer.
NZC medical manager Dayle Shackel said it was clear the injury now needed targeted intervention.
"Kane's been managing the elbow injury to varying degrees this summer and unfortunately it hasn't improved," Shackel said.
"He obviously has a high volume of training and playing across the three formats, which has inhibited his ability to recover.
"We believe he now needs a period of rest and rehabilitation to get the injury right.
"Time-frames can vary, but we're hopeful that, after an initial rest, he should be able to begin rehabilitation next week."
Coach Gary Stead said it was a blow to lose Williamson for the three-game ODI series against Bangladesh, but knew it was the right call.
"Kane loves playing for his country - so it hasn't been an easy decision to step back," Stead said.
"A batsman's front elbow is crucial to his game and with the injury not improving it was clear something needed to be done.
"We've got a huge year of cricket ahead with an England Test tour and ICC World Test Championship Final first up in May and June, and we want to make sure we have Kane fit and firing for that.
"We will certainly miss his class and leadership in the upcoming Bangladesh series, but his omission will no doubt present an opportunity for someone else when the ODI squad is named."
