Major setback for Kiwis as Southee ruled of India Tests with ankle injury

In a major setback to New Zealand, bowling mainstay Tim Southee has been ruled of the upcoming three-Test series against India with an ankle injury.

The 27-year-old suffered a ligament strain in his left ankle and felt pain in his left foot during a training session, and will head back to New Zealand in order to be fit for the five-match ODI series beginning on October 16 in Dharamsala.

"Tim has been working hard in preparation for this tour, so he's understandably very disappointed to be ruled out of all three Tests," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. "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."

The opening match will be played at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, starting from September 22.

New Zealand have roped in Matt Henry as replacement for Southee, who has taken 177 wickets in 52 Tests. In his absence, Trent Boult will spearhead the pace attack against the India's much-vaunted batting force.