'Sehwag's absence is a relief'

New Zealand cricketers have expressed relief that swashbuckling Indian opening bat Virender Sehwag will not feature in the tri-series in Sri Lanka and in the upcoming Champions Trophy in South Africa because of a shoulder injury.

A shoulder injury means New Zealand avoid one of the most devastating strikers of a cricket ball.

It maybe recalled that during the recent one-day series in New Zealand, Sehwag had tonked 299 runs at an average of 74.25 to help India win by a margin of three games to one.

"It is a relief," said vice-captain Brendon McCullum when asked about the significance of Sehwag not leading off the Indian order in against New Zealand on Friday.

"The way he played against us in the home summer, he was pretty terrifying at the top of the order," stuff.co.nz quoted McCullum, as saying.

"He really tore us apart so to not have him in their team is a bit of a blow for them," he added.