New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against Australia. Michael Bracewell will lead a 14-man squad that includes returning pace duo Kyle Jamieson and Ben Sears but is missing Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne due to injury.

Santner underwent abdominal surgery last month and was hopeful of being fit for the three-match series that will be played on October 1, 3, and 4 in Mount Maunganui but has not recovered in time.

"Never nice to lose your skipper," New Zealand coach Rob Walter said. "But these things do happen. And Michael has already been the captain of this team and did a great job against Pakistan. So fully confident in how he will lead the team."

Ferguson has been ruled out with a hamstring injury while Milne has

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