Kane Williamson out of New Zealand v England T20I series through injury

Williamson has been ruled out of the five-match campaign with a right hip problem. The Blackcaps will be captained by Tim Southee in the regular skipper's absence

Kane Williamson will miss New Zealand's T20 series against England through injury.

Williamson has been ruled out of the five-match campaign with a right hip problem. The Blackcaps will be captained by Tim Southee in the regular skipper's absence.

“We’ve been monitoring the injury for a while now and it’s the same issue that ruled him out of the final Test against Bangladesh back in March,” head coach Gary Stead said.

“It’s disappointing timing for Kane at the start of an exciting Kiwi summer, but we feel it’s the right decision with a busy season ahead.

“We’re fortunate to have someone experienced like Tim who can comfortably step in and take the reins, as he successfully did on the recent tour of Sri Lanka.”

Lockie Ferguson is picked in the New Zealand squad for the first three matches of the series, following his return from a broken thumb. Ferguson will be replaced by Trent Boult for the final two outings.

Ferguson will also play in the New Zealand XI which will face England in two warm-up matches, the first of which is due to take place at Lincoln on Sunday.

New Zealand T20 squad: Southee (c), Boult (games 4 and 5), De Grandhomme, Ferguson (games 1-3), Guptill, Kuggeleijn, Mitchell, Munro, Neesham, Santner, Seifert (wk), Sodhi, Taylor, Tickner

Meanwhile, England have named their XI for the opening warm-up fixture.

Tom Banton will partner Jonny Bairstow at the top of the order, with James Vince filling in at No.3. Eoin Morgan captains the team, with Sam Billings taking the wicketkeeping gloves.

Saqib Mahmood and Pat Brown are both included.

England XI v New Zealand XI: Bairstow, Banton, Vince, Morgan (c), Denly, Billings (wk), S Curran, Rashid, Jordan, Mahmood, Brown