Martin Guptill is a doubt for the fifth and final One-Day International against India in Wellington after suffering a back injury during practice ahead of the game. As a result, Colin Munro, who was released by the New Zealand to play the Super Smash game for Auckland Aces on Saturday, will rejoin the squad.
Guptill, 32, is said to have aggravated his lower back during fielding practice on Saturday. As he struggled to overcome the pain, he was taken off the ground by the support staff.
Martin Guptill is in doubt for tomorrow’s fifth ODI against India after aggravating his lower back while fielding this afternoon. He’s been assessed by team physio Vijay Vallabh & will be reassessed tomorrow morning. Colin Munro will rejoin the ODI squad tomorrow morning #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/grfVzgvHTa
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) February 2, 2019
Guptill hasn’t enjoyed the best of runs in the ongoing series, having aggregated just 47 runs in four innings thus far. His back up, Munro, too has struggled for form, scoring 7, 31 and 8 in the three matches thus far. New Zealand have also tried Henry Nicholls as an opening option. If Guptill sits out the final game at Wellington, New Zealand will be trying out their third opening combo of the series.
