A NEW Zealand call-up means Worcestershire batsman Hamish Rutherford will miss Rapids' Vitality Blast quarter-final at Sussex Sharks at Hove on Friday (7pm).

Rutherford, 30, is needed for the final T20I in the three-match series in Sri Lanka after fellow Rapids player Martin Guptill was ruled out through injury.

He will fly out for Friday’s encounter at the Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy.

Rutherford is due to return the next day and be available for Worcestershire’s final three Specsavers County Championship Division Two matches of the season, starting on Tuesday against Glamorgan at Blackfinch New Road.

Cricket New Zealand confirmed Guptill is suffering from a right abdomen strain suffered when fielding in the second T20I which meant he did not bat in the four-wicket triumph.

Rutherford’s last T20I for the Black Caps was six years ago, also against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

Guptill featured in eight of Rapids' North Group matches in the Blast and played a leading role in Worcestershire reaching the quarter-finals.

He scored 11 in the opening game of the international series.