Black Cap Boult out of third Test against S Africa

New Zealand's injury woes continue to mount ahead of the third Test against South Africa, with bowling spearhead Trent Boult ruled out Friday after failing to recover from a groin injury.

Boult's new ball partner Tim Southee is already out of the Test in Hamilton with a torn hamstring and the Black Caps are also missing batting stalwart Ross Taylor. Boult missed the second Test, won by South Africa by eight wickets, because of groin soreness and chief selector Gavin Larsen said he had failed a fitness test.

"Trent did everything possible to get himself ready for this Test and is extremely disappointed to be missing out," Larsen said. "While he has made good progress, after training on Thursday we spoke with medical staff and it was agreed that Trent required a little further time to be ready for the demands of Test cricket."