The 32-year-old has played the last four domestic first-class
games as a batsman only and was hoping his hip injury will have
recovered for the first of two Tests against the Windies.
Watling will stay in the New Zealand squad and will be considered as a
batsman only with uncapped Wellington gloveman Tom Blundell the
favourite to be behind the stumps in the first Test - although no
decision has been yet.
If Watling does not play, it will be the first time he will miss a Test since 2013 in England.
Blundell, 27, will get a chance to impress the national
selectors when he plays a three-day tour game against the Windies for
New Zealand 'A' from Saturday.
New Zealand Test squad:
Kane
Williamson (captain), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Tom
Latham, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ross
Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling