Boult and Nicholls in doubt for first test

The Black Caps have named a 15-player squad for the three-test series against England but say batsman Henry Nicholls and bowler Trent Boult are doubtful for the first match at Lord’s starting on Thursday night.

Trent Boult
Photo: Photosport

Nicholls is still recovering from a right calf injury he suffered in camp before leaving New Zealand, with Michael Bracewell being named as the 16th man as cover for him.

Fast bowler Boult, meanwhile, is expected to arrive in London today after playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad yesterday.

Jacob Duffy, Blair Tickner, Rachin Ravindra and Hamish Rutherford were released from the initial 20 player squad.

Coach Gary Stead isn’t confident of Nicholls taking the field in London.

“At the moment we think it’s unlikely, obviously with the Covid that just put him back another week, he is progressing really well, but at the moment he’s an unlikely starter,” said Stead.

It’s a similar situation with Boult who was the last arrival from the IPL.

“I’ve had conversations with Trent leading up to this, it’s part of the world and the way it is right now and I guess with the complexities of putting schedules together it just adds another layer to it all.

“We’ve been through this before with other players so it’s not something that is new to us and we’ll deal with that tomorrow and work out what’s best for us with Trent Boult.”

Even without Boult, Stead says he’s happy with the pace attack he can put out which includes, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner and Matt Henry.

“Every time we sit down at a selection meeting it gets harder and harder and that’s a nice place to be in, we try to remain loyal to those who have been in and around our squad and that remains important to us, but we are seeing the emergence of some new talent as well.

Henry Nicholls
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

“You’re always looking for that right time of when you do bring people up and we are a different team to what we were at (last year’s) World Test Championship (without Ross Taylor and BJ Watling) and those changes are felt within the team but that gives others the opportunity to play the game.

Stead says there is the chance they may not play a spinner.

Skipper Kane Williamson, who left the IPL early to return home for the birth of his second child, joined up with the squad late last week and played a couple of days in the warmup game against a County Selection.

New Zealand are reigning World Test champions. The first test begins on Thursday against an England side that is now being coached by former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum.

NEW ZEALAND SQUAD:

Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Blundell (wicketkeeper), Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Cam Fletcher (wicketkeeper), Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Will Young, Michael Bracewell.

-RNZ/Reuters