Injury forces Mills out of South Africa tests

BRISBANE, Oct 9 (Reuters) New Zealand seam bowler Kyle Mills has been ruled out of next month's two-test tour of South Africa because of a calf strain, the country's cricket board announced today.

New Zealand Cricket have called up Wellington pace bowler Iain O'Brien to replace the 28-year-old right-armer.

Mills picked up the injury during New Zealand A's tour of Australia, where he was forced to miss the final of last week's quadrangular tournament against Tasmania.

''The selectors are not satisfied that Kyle will be fit enough to leave with the Black Caps test team next week and decided to remove him from the that section of the tour,'' team manager Lindsay Crocker told reporters.

''It is hoped that when Kyle recovers from his injury and has some game time under his belt he will be considered for the one-day section of the tour.'' The first test against South Africa starts in Johannesburg on November 8, with the opening game in a three-match one-day series being played in Durban on November 25.

Mills had just returned to action after overcoming a serious knee injury which had sidelined him since January.

REUTERS BJR RAI1242