The BLACKCAPS may be without star pace bowler Neil Wagner for the upcoming ANZ Test series against South Africa.
The 30-year-old left armer fractured his left ring finger while fielding a ball off his own bowling during a Ford Trophy game for the Otago Volts on Wednesday.
BLACKCAPS coach Mike Hesson said time would tell in terms for Wagner’s return.
“The initial assessment is that Neil will require four to six weeks for recovery, but we’ll be in a position to make a better judgement on that in the next couple of weeks.
“Neil’s an important member of our Test side and he is obviously desperate to play in such a big series, so we’ll do everything we can to get him back on the park as soon as possible."
Wagner's the top ranked Kiwi Test bowler in 11th spot and will likely undergo surgery on Friday 3 February.
The three match ANZ Test series begins in Dunedin on 8 March.
