Australia replace injured pacer Richardson with Paris

Hamilton, Feb 7 (Cricketnmore): Australia pacer Kane Richardson has been ruled out of the final Chappell-Hadlee One-Day International (ODI) cricket match against against New Zealand with a sore back, and Western Australian quick Joel Paris will be parachuted into the team, Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Sunday.

Richardson was a late withdrawal from Saturday's second ODI, replaced before the toss by Victorian Scott Boland. An update from CA this morning said Richardson continued to suffer back pain and would return to Australia on Sunday "for further investigation into the issue", according to CA's official website.

Australia tied the Chappell-Hadlee series at 1-1 with a four-wicket win in Wellington on Saturday. The third and final match will be played in Hamilton on Monday.

Paris had been with WA's Sheffield Shield squad in Lincoln, where he took 4-37 in the second innings with the red ball as New South Wales (NSW) held on for a draw.

Paris made his ODI debut at the WACA in this summer's ODI series against India, and also played the second game in Brisbane.

Wicketless in eight overs in his debut match, he claimed the scalp of India opener Shikhar Dhawan in Brisbane with his second delivery.

For Richardson, he faces an anxious wait to determine the extent of his back injury with Australia set to announce their World T20 squad later this week. Richardson was diagnosed with a back 'hot spot' while playing for Australia A in 2013. In 2014, he was also sidelined during an ODI tri-series in Zimbabwe.

The South Australian quick's injury trouble adds another headache for selectors already grappling with injuries to T20 skipper Aaron Finch and pivotal allrounder James Faulkner, who both have hamstring issues.

Agency.

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