New Zealand vs Australia: Wicket-keeper BJ Walting ruled out of Chappell-Hadlee series due to knee injury

Wellington:New Zealand Test wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling has been sidelined for at least three weeks due to a sprained right knee.

The injury will also rule Watling out of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee ODI series against Australia beginning on January 30 at Eden Park, Auckland.

Confirming the news, New Zealand Cricket said that Watling`s injury has been monitored by the team`s medical staff for an extended period and that he now requires rest and rehabilitation in order to recover, ESPNcricinfo reported.

The 31-year-old will target a return in the Plunket Shield match between Northern Districts and Otago in Whangarei from February 25 in Whangarei.

He is also expected to be available for the home three-match Test series against South Africa beginning University Oval in Dunedin on March 8.

Watling has been New Zealand`s first-choice Test wicketkeeper, having featured in 49 Tests in contrast to only 32 limited-overs internationals.

He has notchd up a total of 2565 runs at an average of 38.28 in Tests besides 157 dismissals behind the stumps, the fourth-highest by a New Zealand wicketkeeper.