Blackcaps fast bowler Lockie Ferguson has been ruled out of Saturday's opening one day international against Sri Lanka, with a hamstring injury.
New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen said Ferguson had pulled up with a concern after his first-class return for Auckland, where he took four wickets and bowled 29 overs across both innings.
"Post the four-day game he played for Auckland, some stiffness started to occur," said Jurgensen.
"Over the course of the last week, it's been determined and he felt that a 50 over game with the demand on his body, for the team it's best he sits out [of] this one."
Ferguson, 31, was originally scheduled to only play the series' opening game, before he and the rest of his Indian Premier League-bound teammates depart for this year's tournament.
The trio of Ferguson, Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips were scheduled to leave the Blackcaps' camp after the first ODI, joining Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell who will miss the series altogether for their Indian commitments.
The Blackcaps will name a replacement player to come in for Ferguson at a later date, while Jurgensen says its too soon to say whether his participation in the IPL will be affected.
Jurgensen added he doesn't think the injury for Ferguson - whose career has been impacted by various injuries since his debut in 2016 - is a sign of worse to come for the fast bowler.
"I don't think so," he continued. "He's tried his best with a programme with me to lift his bowling loading to be in a position to play four day cricket.
"That's certainly something we'll monitor and look after in the future.
"But there's no ongoing concerns."
Left-armer Ben Lister was named to join the squad for the second and third matches of the series, but is currently in the middle of a first-class game for Auckland, and therefore unlikely to be released for the series opener on Saturday.
