Trent Boult has been ruled out of the remainder of the one-day international series between England and New Zealand because of a back injury.

New Zealand’s left-arm swing bowler, ranked No5 in the ICC ODI world rankings, was an unexpected absentee from Sunday’s third ODI against England at the Ageas Bowl, replaced by debutant Ben Wheeler.

Then, with the series score level at 1-1, it was announced in a New Zealand statement that he is to return home with a stress injury to his back.

New Zealand have yet to name a replacement for Boult for the final two matches at Trent Bridge and Chester-le-Street. The Auckland batsman Colin Munro has already joined up with the squad following all-rounder Corey Anderson’s tour-ending back injury.