Injured Faulkner to miss remainder of New Zealand tour

Australian all-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of the remaining of the one-day internationals series against New Zealand, Cricket Australia said in a statement on Wednesday.

Faulkner injured his right hamstring in the first ODI on Wednesday, which the Aussies lost by 159 runs.

Marcus Stoinis will replace Faulkner for the remainder of the series.

Stoinis has played only one ODI -- he was selected in the Australian squad for the England tour last year.

"James reported increased stiffness in his right hamstring during the first innings tonight and found it difficult running during our batting innings," Cricket Australia’s sports science and sport medicine manager Alex Kountouris said in a statement.

"Unfortunately, with the short turnaround between games we do not believe he will recover in time to take any further part in the series. As a result, he will return to Melbourne tomorrow to have scans and start rehabilitation. 

“We are hopeful this is only a low grade injury but will know more in the coming days,” he added.

Faulkner, with 36, was Australia's second-highest scorer as they crumbled to a 159-run defeat at Eden Park in Auckland.

Wellington will host the next match on Saturday, while the third and final ODI will be played in Hamilton on Monday, 8 February.

Faulkner’s injury comes six weeks before Australia begin their campaign for an elusive Twenty20 World Cup title in India.

Image: Australia's James Faulkner 

Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images