New Zealand's Henry Nicholls, Blair Tickner, Shane Jurgensen test positive for Covid-19

Defending World Test Champions New Zealand are currently in England ahead of their upcoming Test series against the host nation. The news coming in from the visitors' camp is that batsman Henry Nicholls, paceman Blair Tickner, and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen have tested positive for coronavirus.

The trio tested positive in the Rapid Antigen Tests that took place on Friday morning ahead of New Zealand's scheduled warm-up match against Sussex at Brighton. As a result, all three members of the contingent have gone into self-isolation and will be monitored for five days.

In their statement, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said, "Three of the BLACKCAPS touring party are in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 on the morning of the first Tour match against Sussex in Brighton. Henry Nicholls, Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen have begun five days of hotel room isolation after producing positive Rapid Antigen Tests on Friday morning."

The remaining players and staff members all had negative results but shall be monitored and tested as required by New Zealand's medical team. The tour match will go ahead as planned.

New Zealand will play their second tour match against County Select XI starting next Thursday (May 26) at Chelmsford.

New Zealand named a 20-man squad for the three-Test series against England starting June 2. This team will be chopped down to a 15-member contingent after the conclusion of both the warm-up games.

Nicholls, who tested positive today, was already out for the first tour game due to an injury. Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, and Tim Southee are missing due to their IPL commitments. Skipper Kane Williamson and fast bowler Neil Wagner are back home in New Zealand for the birth of their second child, respectively.