Black Caps lose Guptill to injury

New Zealand have suffered a massive blow ahead of the second ODI against Australia on Thursday, losing star opener Martin Guptill to a hamstring injury.

The right-hander has been withdrawn from the match in Napier as a "precautionary measure", with veteran Dean Brownlie coming into the side.

"Martin felt tightness in his left hamstring while fielding yesterday and after being monitored over the last 24 hours it’s become apparent he won’t quite be ready for Napier," coach Mike Hesson said.

"He’ll remain with the team and we’ll continue to monitor him ahead of the third ODI in Hamilton."

Guptill notched a crucial 61 in NZ's thrilling victory in Auckland on Monday and posted scores of 114, 45 and 34 against the Aussies last December.

Brownlie, a right-hander from Northern Districts, is in line for his first international appearance in more than two years.

The 32-year-old was no doubt boosted by the performance at Eden Park of fellow veteran Neil Broom, who has secured the Black Caps' No.5 ODI berth with lock and key after the unlikeliest of returns to the international arena.

Having not played an ODI for New Zealand in six-and-a-half years, the 33-year-old Cantabrian made his comeback in the side's Boxing Day match against Bangladesh.

He has since notched a maiden ODI century and a 97, as well as an innings-saving 73 off 75 balls in Monday's win.

Broom, returning to the fold after missing two Twenty-20 matches with a broken finger, provided support as allrounder Jimmy Neesham hit a quick-fire 48.

He then unleashed to notch 73 himself and prevent a middle-order collapse as the Kiwis completed their 50 overs at 9-286.

Black Caps coach Mike Hesson said the experienced right-hander had firmly lodged himself in the side's first-choice XI.

A maiden Test call-up may also be on the horizon.

"He's shown since he's come back the experience we like, he's calm and I thought we saw another example of that yesterday," Hesson said.

"We can play five frontline batsmen, which we perhaps haven't been able to do in recent times, so that certainly helps."