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AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Allrounder James Faulkner was ruled out of the remainder of Australia's cricket tour to New Zealand after hurting his hamstring during its 159-run loss in the first one-day international on Wednesday.
Victoria's Marcus Stoinis, a top-order batsman and medium-pacer who played his only previous ODI against England last year, was called into the squad ahead of veteran allrounder Shane Watson.
Faulkner faces a race against time to be fit to play in Australia's Twenty20 series in South Africa which precedes next month's World Twenty20 in India. The injury to Faulkner, who plays a key finishing role in the team, would be a major blow to Australia's World T20 hopes, as it has already lost captain Aaron Finch to a hamstring injury.
Australia is already struggling to bed in a new-look bowling attack after the retirement of Mitchell Johnson and injury to Mitchell Starc.
Australia has until Sunday to name its squad for the world tournament.
Faulkner "reported increased stiffness in his right hamstring during the first innings (at Eden Park) and found it difficult running during our batting innings," Cricket Australia sports medicine manager Alex Kountouris said.
Australia trails New Zealand 1-0 in the three-match Chappell-Hadlee one-day series with the second match to be played in Wellington on Saturday.
"Unfortunately, with the short turnaround between games, we do not believe he will recover in time to take any further part in the series," Kountouris said. "As a result, he will return to Melbourne tomorrow to have scans and start rehabilitation.
"We are hopeful this is only a low grade injury but will know more in the coming days."
The magnitude of Australia's selection problems was made evident by the first ODI in which it suffered its heaviest loss to New Zealand in New Zealand.
Its batting was its major problem as its top order again showed an inability to flourish outside Australia. The tourists were reduced to 41-6 after nine overs, the first time Australia has lost six wickets inside 10 overs in a ODI, and it had never been bowled out in fewer deliveries — only 146.
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