The New Zealand cricket team for next month's Tri-Nations series with Sri Lanka and India was further weakened on Thursday when explosive top order batsman Jesse Ryder pulled out.
New Zealand is already without its two most senior cricketers, Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, who have
stayed home because their wives are expected to give birth during the tournament in Sri Lanka.
Ryder has now been forced out with an elbow injury earning a surprise recall for Peter Ingram, who earlier this week could not even make New Zealand Cricket's list of top 20 players.
Former international opener Aaron Redmond was earmarked to replace Ryder but had to declare himself unavailable due to his wedding next month.
"We considered a few players but felt that an experienced opener was required so Ingram got the nod," selector Mark Greatbatch said.
Ingram played in New Zealand's one-day series against Australia earlier this year and also made the first Test side before being dropped over concerns about his footwork against quality bowling.