Wade ruled out of Chappell-Hadlee series with back injury

Napier [New Zealand], Feb. 1 (ANI): Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade has been ruled of the ongoing Chappell-Hadlee series against New Zealand. Wade, who was asked to lead the side in absence of regular skipper Steve Smith, will return home from New Zealand due to a back injury. He will return to Melbourne, where he will undergo treatment in a bid to help him return to full fitness ahead of Australia's training camp in Dubai ahead of four-Test India tour. "With Matthew not being fit for Thursday's game in Napier it has been decided to send him home for an assessment and treatment in Melbourne, with a view to him being fit for the tour of India and the training camp in Dubai that precedes it," ESPNcricinfo quoted John Orchard, Cricket Australia's chief medical officer as saying. "We are hopeful this injury will settle down relatively quickly and that he will be able to participate in that tour without any issues," he added. Wade had injured his back during training ahead of the series opener in Auckland, which Australia lost by six runs. No replacement has been named by Cricket Australia, which means Peter Handscomb is likely to continue as wicketkeeper. The 37-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman said that the lower back injury that he picked up while diving during a routine fielding drill had flared up previously, and the subsequent recovery had been swift. "It's heartbreaking I couldn't take the field as captain but it's been a real honour to have been appointed captain and to be able to lead the group in the time I've been here in New Zealand," he said. "And after all, it's all about the team, it's not about me. Hopefully we can win the next two games and win the series," he added. Aaron Finch, who stood in for Wade as captain in the first ODI, will take charge in the remaining matches, in Napier (February 2) and Hamilton (February 5). (ANI)