Taylor to miss ODI series against South Africa

Wellington, Oct 18 (IANS) Former New Zealand captain and star batsman Ross Taylor has been ruled out of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) home series against South Africa, starting Oct 21, due to a calf injury.

Taylor's left calf strain means he will miss all three matches - two scheduled for Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval Tuesday and Friday, and a third at Hamilton's Seddon Park Oct 27, according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).

A 13-strong New Zealand XI, comprising established 'Black Caps' and a number of fringe World Cup contenders, had been named to contest a warm-up ODI against Ireland in Hamilton Saturday.

As well as Taylor, Kane Williamson, Adam Milne and Tim Southee were also omitted from the New Zealand XI.

Williamson's left wrist injury means he will miss at least the first ODI against South Africa, while paceman Milne is out for the entire series with an elbow injury.

Southee is expected to have recovered from a shoulder niggle, and will be available for all three South African matches.

A New Zealand XI scraped to a one-run win over Scotland Wednesday in an earlier warm-up match.