WELLINGTON, Oct 9: New Zealand pace bowler Kyle Mills has been ruled out of the Test squad to play South Africa next month because of a calf strain.

Mills, who was returning to the national side for the first time since surgery for a knee injury in January, will be replaced by Iain O’Brien, the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Tuesday.

“The selectors are not satisfied that Kyle will be fit enough to leave with the Test team next week and decided today to remove him from the Test section of the tour,” New Zealand team manager Lindsay Crocker said.

The first of two Tests against South Africa starts in Johannesburg on Nov 8, with the first of three ODIs to be played in Durban on Nov 25.—AFP