WELLINGTON, Nov 19: Batsman Mathew Sinclair has been added to the New Zealand squad for the One-day International series against South Africa following the injury to opener Craig Cumming, Cricket New Zealand said on Monday.

Cumming needed surgery on a fractured cheekbone after he was struck by a Dale Steyn short ball in New Zealand’s first innings. He was unable to play in the second innings as New Zealand crashed to an innings and 59 runs defeat.

New Zealand were thrashed by South Africa in both Tests and will next play a Twenty20 match against the Proteas on Friday before the start of the first of three one-dayers on Monday.

Sinclair has been in and out of the New Zealand team in recent years due to patchy form and last played a one-day international in early 2005. But he has been in strong form in domestic first-class cricket, scoring an unbeaten 243 this month for his Central Districts team.—AFP