Hamish Bennett, the New Zealand fast bowler, has suffered a back injury and is likely to miss next month's tour of Zimbabwe.

John Buchanan, the director of New Zealand cricket, expected Bennett to back in action for the series against Australia later this year. "Hamish complained of soreness in his lower back that intensified following training," Buchanan said. "He had undertaken scans and the medical team have ruled out serious pathological injures such as a stress fracture.

"I believe that with a thorough rehabilitation program Hamish will be able to return to cricket sometime soon but unfortunately he is unlikely to recover in time for the tour of Zimbabwe."

Bennett, 24, has had a string of injuries since his surprise elevation to the national side last year. He suffered a groin strain on the opening day of his Test debut in India, ruling him out of the series. Earlier this year, an ankle injury put him out of the second half of New Zealand's run to the semi-finals in the World Cup.