England wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes has been ruled out of the two-Test series versus New Zealand after tearing his left hamstring, the ECB said on Wednesday.
Foakes, 28, was set to play in what would have been his first home series before sustaining the injury when he slipped in the dressing room after Surrey’s County Championship game against Middlesex.
He is expected to be out for at least three months, which also makes him doubtful for the India Tests.
James Bracey is now due to make his debut behind the stumps in the first Test at Lord’s, with England head coach Chris Silverwood calling up uncapped Sam Billings as Foakes’ replacement.
Nottinghamshire top-order batsman Haseeb Hameed has also received a call-up.
In the second and final Test versus England at Edgbaston, children will not be allowed as the match was chosen as one of the British government’s pilot events to allow bigger crowds.
