AUCKLAND, April 16: Lou Vincent has recovered from injury and will join the New Zealand team when they move on to Pakistan after the Sharjah triangular tournament, New Zealand Cricket announced Tuesday.

The batsman sustained a bruised lung and ruptured his left airway after being struck in the chest by England’s Andy Caddick in the third Test between the countries two weeks ago.

“It was always our stated intention to have Lou join the squad as soon as he was fit,” said chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee.

Travelling with Vincent to join the squad will be wicket-keeper Robbie Hart, the retired Adam Parore’s replacement in the Test team.

One-day wicket-keeper Chris Nevin injured a hamstring in Sharjah and Hart will now be available for the three one-day matches as well as the two Tests in Pakistan.

“Nevin’s injury has meant Robbie Hart, who was to join the squad for Test series, will now get to Pakistan earlier and become a wicket-keeping option for the one dayers,” Hadlee added.

Hart will leave Thursday to take the place of Nevin, who missed his side’s last two matches in the Sharjah Cup limited-overs tournament in Sharjah because of a hamstring strain.

Nevin sustained the injury while stretching for a catch during warmups before the game against Sri Lanka Sunday.

Batsman Mathew Sinclair took over the gloves at Sharjah, where Pakistan defeated the Kiwis Monday night to reach Wednesday’s final against Sri Lanka.

The first match of New Zealand’s delayed tour of Pakistan is on April 21 in Karachi.—Reuters/AP