Hamilton, March 16 New Zealand batsman Bevon Jacobs has been ruled out of Tuesday's second T20I against South Africa at Seddon Park due to a left knee injury, according to New Zealand Cricket (NZC).
NZC added that Katene Clarke would join the Blackcaps squad as a replacement for Jacobs. Clarke was initially scheduled to join the New Zealand team for the fourth and fifth T20I games alongside Dane Cleaver, Jayden Lennox, and Tom Latham.
"Jacobs left the ground on Sunday night during the first T20I after falling on his left knee while fielding. Subsequent scans revealed bruising on the side of his knee. Further assessment is required to determine Jacobs' return-to-play timeline," NZC stated in a statement.
The New Zealand squad arrived in Hamilton on Monday ahead of a T20I doubleheader at Seddon Park on Tuesday. Before the men's match at 7:15pm local time, the New Zealand women's side will play against South Africa at 2:15pm local time.
Previously, NZC had said that leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was ruled out of the ongoing series against South Africa after breaking his thumb in training. Sodhi sustained the injury while bowling at the Bay Oval on Saturday, with scans confirming a fracture that will sideline him for at least four weeks.
As a result, Sodhi missed the opening match, where Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie shared spin duties in a seven-wicket defeat for the Blackcaps, who were bowled out for 91.
NZC had also said that they would not call up a replacement for Sodhi, especially with Lockie Ferguson linking up with the squad for the second and third matches. The remaining three T20I games in the series will be played at Eden Park in Auckland, Sky Stadium in Wellington, and Hagley Oval in Christchurch.