Cole McConchie has been officially approved as Michael Bracewell's replacement in New Zealand's squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The governing body's Event Technical Committee (ETC) confirmed the change after Bracewell was forced to leave the tournament due to injury last week.

The 35-year-old all-rounder reinjured his left calf during warm-ups ahead of the team's World Cup opener against Afghanistan in Chennai. He had been on the comeback trail following the calf tear he sustained during the third ODI against India last month, but scans revealed a recurrence of the injury that is expected to sideline him for around three weeks.

New Zealand had earlier named McConchie as a travelling reserve and had flown him over to join the squad. McConchie, a seasoned domestic campaigner with 145 T20 appearances, joins the squad on the back of a strong season with Canterbury Kings, where he finished as the side's leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.71.

"It feels pretty surreal to be here," McConchie said on his call-up to the squad. "It doesn't get much better than a World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. You're always striving to wear the fern, and to get the call up is incredibly special. I'm looking forward to contributing in any way I can."

New Zealand, who have won two of their three Group D games so far, next face Canada on Tuesday (February 17) at the M.A Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai