New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult might have a strong chance of playing in the second Test against England after his quarantine on entering the United Kingdom was relaxed. The first Test match between England and New Zealand at Lord’s ended in a draw recently.
The second Test match between the two sides, the last one for New Zealand before they clash with India in the final of the ICC World Test Championship will begin from June 10 in Edgbaston. Earlier, Trent Boult had decided to opt-out of the two-Test England series and was primed to play only in the ICC WTC final.
Trent Boult [Image-Ggetty]
Trent Boult Is Keener Than He Was A Week Ago, There’s A Chance: NZ Coach Gary Stead
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead told ESPNCricinfo said that the updated quarantine protocols have allowed Trent Boult to train immediately after arriving which has advanced his preparations by a few days.
“There’s a chance, there are a few things that have changed. The British government has relaxed their quarantine stipulations so Trent is out of isolation three or four days earlier than expected. The original plan we had in place with all the information we had at the time was we weren’t going to play him in the second Test, but coming out of that isolation probably three days earlier than what we originally anticipated does put a slightly different spin on it,” Stead told ESPNCricinfo.
Trent Boult and Tim Southee (Image Credit: Twitter)
“Trent is more keen than he was a week ago and that’s because he’s over here now, he’s part of the environment. Probably right now it’s a bit early to make that call, he’s only been here 48 hours and probably still suffering a little bit of jet lag,” Stead added.
If Trent Boult becomes available for the Edgbaston Test match, it would mean disbanding the bowling attack that kept England under pressure throughout the Lord’s Test match.
It could also mean that NZ bowlers might get some breather and their workload be managed better given that Tim Southee (42.1 overs at Lord’s), Kyle Jamieson (41 overs) or Neil Wagner (40 overs) might get some rest before ICC WTC final.
Also Read: Ollie Robinson Handed Suspension By ECB For Historic Racist And Sexist Tweets, To Miss 2nd Test vs New Zealand
