ADELAIDE, Australia (Reuters)
Injured New Zealand fast bowler Shayne O'Connor has lost his battle to play in the second Test against Australia starting on Friday and will be sent home, the team's management announced.

O'Connor aggravated a tendon in his right knee during last week's drawn first Test in Brisbane but stayed on tour in the the hope it might improve enough for him to play the second Test.

New Zealand manager Jeff Crowe said in a statement released on Monday that O'Connor's knee had improved but not enough to allow him to play in Hobart so it had been decided to send him home.

"Shayne's knee is on the mend and he has been able to bowl short spells in the nets at about 80 percent." Crowe said. "However, our medical team says that what the knee needs to fully recuperate is rest and it's obviously not likely to get that while he's playing Test match cricket."

O'Connor's loss is a major blow to the Kiwis' chances of beating the Australians after allrounder Dion Nash was sent home following the first Test because of an abdominal muscle tear.

He was replaced by Canterbury paceman Shane Bond but Crowe said the Kiwis were undecided about whether they would call up another player as the third and final Test is due to start in Perth just four days after the second Test finishes.

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