Trent Boult and Henry Nicholls could be ruled out of New Zealand’s first Test against England despite being included in the squad for a clash starting at Lord’s on Thursday.
Boult played in the Indian Premier League final for Rajasthan Royals on Sunday and is unlikely to recover in time for five days of Test cricket.
Nicholls’ start to England tour was interrupted due to injury problems and a bout of coronavirus.
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“We’ll see how Trent scrubs but I’ve had a conversation with him to move on to it. It’s part of the world and the way it is now, with the complexity of putting the schedule together,” said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead told reporters on Monday.
“when you have IPL On top of that it just adds another layer to it.
“We have done this with different players before so I think it is not something that is new to us. We will deal with this and do what is best for us to move forward with Trent. ,
As for Nichols, whose middle-order slot should go to Daryl Mitchell, Stead said: “At the moment we think Henry is unlikely to play.
“Covid has put him back another week from where we wanted him to be, but he is progressing really well.”
Stead spoke to new England coach and fellow Kiwi Brendon McCullum at Lord’s on Monday.
He admitted that it now seems unusual for one of New Zealand’s most iconic players to lead an opponent.
“It already feels weird. I walked into the field with him first. I think he went right into the dressing room; he turned left and I turned right,” Stead said.
“I haven’t thought too much about Brendan and his impact as we are focused on the way we play, but I have no doubt that he will make an impact immediately.
“Brendan will bring a game of heart to sleeves in that England team. I think it’s always nice when you have Kiwi coaches who are in demand around the world.”
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