New Zealand have suffered another injury blow on their troubled tour of Australia with James Neesham, the allrounder, ruled out of the three-Test series with back trouble, team officials said on Monday (November 9).

Neesham batted on Monday’s final day of the first Gabba Test when New Zealand resumed at 142 for 3, chasing 504. He made 3 in a 33-ball stay, coming in at No.6, as New Zealand were bowled out for 295 in the first session to lose by 208 runs.

Mitchell McClenaghan, the left-arm pacer, will replace Neesham in the New Zealand side. Last week, the team had also called up Neil Wagner, another left-arm pacer, as cover for Tim Southee, who had an irritated disc and didn’t bowl in Australia’s second innings.

Southee, however, is expected to fly with the team to Perth. However a short turnaround means the 26-year-old faces a tough task proving his fitness for the second Test, which starts at the WACA Ground on Friday.

Neesham, who was selected in the touring party as a replacement for injured allrounder Corey Anderson, himself returned from a back stress fracture earlier this year but still isn’t 100 percent, officials said.

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Jimmy has worked hard to get back to fitness following his injury earlier this year, but at this stage still experiences discomfort when bowling extended loads.

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- said Mike Hesson, the New Zealand coach. 

“Jimmy will return to New Zealand for further medical assessment. At this stage our number one priority is getting Jimmy fully healthy and ready for the home summer.”Neesham, 25, bowled a combined 20 overs in both innings and had figures of 1-111, failing to generate much pace and struggling for control.