BULAWAYO: New Zea­l­and pace bowler Nathan Smith has been ruled out of the rest of the tour of Zimbabwe with an abdominal injury, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced on Sunday.

Smith will be replaced by Zak Foulkes, who was part of the winning team in a recent triangular series in Harare, which also involved Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Ben Lister of Auckland has also been called up as cover for fellow fast bowler Will O’Rourke, who is being monitored for back stiffness following New Zealand’s nine-wicket win in the first Test in Bulawayo.

Smith, 27, playing in his third Test match, took three for 20 in 14 overs in the first innings of the first Test but could not bowl in the second innings after being inju­red while making 22 and helping Daryl Mitchell add 61 for the eighth wicket.

According to a statement from NZC, a scan revealed that Smith had an abdominal strain which will require two to four weeks of recovery.

The second Test starts in Bulawayo on Thur­sday.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2025