Devon Conway has been ruled out of the Blackcaps' first test against Australia, after failing to recover from a thumb injury.
The 32-year-old suffered the injury to his left hand during New Zealand's 0-3 Twenty20 defeat last week, and specialist consultation has ruled him out of the series opener at the Basin Reserve.
"It's disappointing for Devon to be ruled out on the eve of an important match," said coach Gary Stead.
"He's a class player batting at the top of the order for us and I know he was really looking forward to this series."
Further medical advice will determine Conway's role in the second test of the series, to be played at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.
The Blackcaps have multiple options to replace Conway at the top of the order, and said last week Will Young could be the likliest player to fill in.
Henry Nicholls has also been called into the squad as batting cover.
Nicholls, 32, was dropped from the Blackcaps' side to face South Africa earlier this month, despite his last innings on Kiwi soil being an unbeaten double century against Sri Lanka in early 2023.
