Daniel Vettori has undergone surgery on his troublesome left Achilles and will miss the NatWest International T20 series between England and New Zealand.
Vettori, who was clearly hampered by the injury during New Zealand’s Champions Trophy campaign, is one of five players heading home.
Fellow injury victims Grant Elliott and Tim Southee also leave the Black Caps camp, together with batsmen Kane Williamson and Luke Ronchi.
The remainder of New Zealand’s Champions Trophy squad is supplemented by the addition of Hamish Rutherford, who is currently turning out for Essex, Tom Latham and Roneel Hira.
Commenting on Vettori’s latest setback, New Zealand physiotherapist Paul Close said: “Dan has been suffering from this injury for the past year and surgery was the only option to prolong his career with the Black Caps."
Both T20 matches take place at the Kia Oval next week, on Tuesday and Thursday.
New Zealand T20 squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Doug Bracewell, Ian Butler, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, Hamish Rutherford, Ross Taylor.