Bates benefits from duo's misfortune

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Auckland’s Michael Bates has been added to New Zealand’s Twenty20 squad for the tour of South Africa after fellow seamers Adam Milne and Mark Gillespie withdrew through injury.

Gillespie was initially named as a replacement for Milne, who picked up an Achilles problem when warming up for a domestic fixture.

However, the former was then forced to leave the field on day three of Wellington’s Plunket Shield match against Central Districts, with tests subsequently revealing a strained abdominal muscle.

Bates, who made the last of his three T20 international appearances against South Africa in February, has therefore been handed a chance to impress.

National selection manager Kim Littlejohn said: “With the injuries to Adam Milne and Mark Gillespie, we have taken the opportunity to add another bowler to the squad in Michael Bates.

“Michael is a promising bowler who performed well for Auckland last season and his recent experience during the Champions League in South Africa will be useful."

The first T20 of the three-match series will be played in Durban on December 21.