REUTERS: England wicket keeper and batsman Ben Foakes has been left out of next month’s two-test streak against New Zealand after tearing his left hamstring, the country’s Cricket Commission said on Wednesday (ECB ).

Foakes, 28, was scheduled to play in what would have been his first home series before suffering the injury when he slipped into the dressing room following the Surrey County Championship game against Middlesex.

He should be away for at least three months.

James Bracey is now set to make his behind-the-stumps debut at Lord’s, with England coach Chris Silverwood calling uncapped Kent’s Sam Billings as a replacement for Foakes.

Nottinghamshire top drummer Haseeb Hameed also got a call.

England regular goalkeepers Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow are both rested after their involvement in the Indian Premier League.

The first New Zealand test begins on June 2 and the second in Edgbaston on June 10.

Foakes’ injury could also exclude him from the start of the five-test series against India which begins on August 4.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by John Stonestreet)