|| CF DESK ||

Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand owing to a back injury.

According to ESPNcricino, Stoinis suffered another back injury during a warm-up session before the second T20I against West Indies last Sunday in Adelaide.

Despite managing to play in the match and scoring 16 runs off 15 deliveries, he had to be sidelined. Stoinis also shared an 80-run partnership with Glenn Maxwell during the game. He also performed with the ball, claiming three wickets while leaking 36 runs in his four overs.

All-rounder Aaron Hardie was included as a backup all-rounder in place of injured Stoinis.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Matthew Short is also dealing with an injury concern after a minor hamstring strain in the recent ODI series against the West Indies forced him to sit out the T20Is.

Senior campaigners Steven Smith and Travis Head both returned to the T20 side for the New Zealand tour after resting from the West Indies series and are likely to be given opportunities each in the top three.

The T20Is are scheduled to start with the first match at Wellington on February 21, the second and third will be played on February 23 and 25 respectively at Eden Park.