Fleming has been ill since returning home from his team's triumphant tour of Bangladesh and although the ailment has not been diagnosed, he has been ruled out of the four-day match against New South Wales starting in Sydney on Thursday.

The Kiwis have also lost their front-line spinner Daniel Vettori to a shoulder problem but coach John Bracewell said he would still play in the first test with Australia starting in Brisbane on November 18.

"There is no doubt that Daniel Vettori will be available for the first test match and this short break is actually a good chance for Daniel to rest after a heavy work load in Bangladesh," he said.