Auckland Aces pace bowler Kyle Jamieson has earned his maiden call-up to the BLACKCAPS as an injury replacement for Lockie Ferguson.
Ferguson is returning home from Australia after sustaining a grade two right calf-muscle tendon strain while bowling in the first Test in Perth.
The injury is expected to require four to six weeks of rehabilitation.
Coach Gary Stead confirmed 24-year-old Jamieson would join the Test squad in Melbourne in preparation for the second Test at the MCG on Boxing Day.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for Kyle who has impressed in the Plunket Shield domestic four-day competition,” Stead said.
“We’ve also been really encouraged by his progress in the NZC winter camps and his performances for New Zealand A.
“Standing at over two metres tall he obviously gets good bounce and brings something different to our other pace bowlers.
“He’ll play for the Aces today in their Super Smash T20 match against the Kings, before making his way to Melbourne on Wednesday.
“It will be his first time in camp and we’re looking forward to welcoming him into the BLACKCAPS environment.”
Jamieson boasts 72 wickets in the Plunket Shield at an average of 27.9 and was a member of the New Zealand squad for the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup.
Ferguson will travel home on Tuesday and Stead said the whole team was feeling for him.
“We’re all absolutely gutted for Lockie,” he added.
“He’d worked really hard to earn his Test debut and to have it cruelly halted by injury was truly unlucky.
“He’ll return home to begin his recovery with an eye to India’s tour of New Zealand starting in late January.”
