New Zealand pacer Trent Boult is all set to miss the first Test against England while there is a lack of clarity on his availability for the second and final Test of the series. However, he will be certainly available for the World Test Championship final against Indian scheduled to start on June 18 in Southampton.
His unavailability for the first Test has arisen because he has headed back home after the suspension of the 14th edition of the IPL. Boult were to travel to the UK for the series against England and WTC Final, but he opted to spend some time with his family before ‘reconnecting’ with the New Zealand side in England.
Along with Boult, New Zealand trainer Chris Donaldson, who has been with the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL will also travel to New Zealand before heading back to the UK.
“We’re completely supportive of Chris and Trent taking the opportunity to see their families before heading to the UK. They’ve always been the consummate professionals and we’re more than happy to accommodate these arrangements,” said New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White in a New Zealand Cricket statement.
The Test series between England and New Zealand is scheduled to begin on June 04 at the Lord’s in London and will conclude with the second Test starting on June 10 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.