Wellington: Regular New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the upcoming five-match T20I series against England following a hip injury. Right-arm pacer Tim Southee will lead the side in Williamson's absence. The decision to rest Williamson was taken after he represented Northern Districts against Canterbury at the Hagley Oval in the opening round of the Plunket Shield.

"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," said Black Caps coach Gary Stead. "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. Southee had earlier led New Zealand to a T20I series win in Sri Lanka in September.