Jesse Ryder will miss New Zealand cricket's historic Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in Florida after returning home to have an elbow injury assessed.
The key top order batsman has been dogged by this latest niggle for the past fortnight but was able to play during New Zealand's disappointing ICC World Twenty20 campaign in the West Indies - his comeback series from a long-term groin injury.
New Zealand is now in Miami where they contest a doubleheader against Sri Lanka next weekend - the first time international cricket has been played in the United States.
New Zealand team manager Dave Currie said Ryder may require minor surgery so the decision was made to send him home for treatment rather than risk the elbow deteriorating further during exhibition games against the Sri Lankans.
Ryder's priority is August's one-day international Tri-Series involving India in Sri Lanka.
The hard-hitting left-hander played his last ODI against Sri Lanka during the pool stages of last September's Champions Trophy in South Africa.
Ryder missed the end of New Zealand's run to the final with a groin injury - a problem that forced him to miss the entire home summer against Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia.
Meanwhile, Auckland left arm pace bowler Andy McKay has joined the tour party as a replacement for Shane Bond, who announced his retirement from all cricket last Friday after New Zealand's World Twenty20 title bid ended before the semifinals.
The late-blooming McKay, 30, made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in February and was also involved in the pre-World Twenty20 training camp in Brisbane.
New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch said the Pearls Cup doubleheader gave McKay a chance to play against the Sri Lankans ahead of the August Tri-Series.
"He showed us some things we haven't had before with the left arm swinging it at good pace (against Bangladesh)," Greatbatch said.
"It's is a good opportunity for him to play against a sub-continent side before we tour there later in the year."
McKay headed to Miami after experiencing visa problems when endeavouring to play league cricket in England but hoped to return once those issues were resolved.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka were originally scheduled to play three matches but the International Cricket Council has ruled the floodlights at the Broward County Regional Park are not up to the standard so Thursday's night match has been scrapped.
In an interesting diversion from their usual training regime, the New Zealand team will indulge in a cross-codes skills challenge with the Florida Marlins Major League baseball side.
The Marlins will use cricket bats and attempt to bowl while New Zealand will be pitching and swinging a baseball bat.
Captain Daniel Vettori and allrounder Jacob Oram have also been given the honour of throwing the pre-game pitch before the Marlins play the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday (NZT).
NZPA