New Zealand
New Zealand. (Photo: Twitter)

The New Zealand contingent involved in the now-suspended IPL 2021 will be split into two groups: one to go to England; other to fly back home. While the Test players travel to the UK for a 2-match Test series against England and for the WTC final, spearhead pacer Trent Boult will return home and may miss the England Tests.

There are 17 Kiwi members including the players and coaches in India for the IPL 2021. On Thursday, NZC confirmed that the England-bound group – for the Tests and the T20 Blast – would leave India on May 11 when the UK will revise the travel restrictions for non-British incoming passengers from India. The UK government has allowed the English players to return, and they have to undergo a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson
Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson will clash in the ICC WTC final from June 18th. (Photo-Getty)

“Due to the UK border restrictions, that group cannot get into England until May 11. It is obviously challenging for them to wait for another few days,” Heath Mills, the head of the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, told ESPNcricinfo.

The UK-bound includes skipper Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, and Tommy Simsek (physio). Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, and Finn Allen, three players who have contracts with T20 Blast will now return to New Zealand.

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Trent Boult to return home, likely to miss England Tests

The Test series against Joe Root’s side will commence on June 2nd and the WTC final against India on June 18th. However, the Black Caps are likely to be without their premier seamer, Trent Boult, against England.

Trent Boult
Trent Boult (Image Credit: Twitter)

The left-arm pacer will return to New Zealand, along with trainer Chris Donaldson, who was with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Both have decided to spend about a week with their families after undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine on their return; they will then fly to the UK ahead to join the Test squad.

The NZC statement said that Trent Boult, who was with the Mumbai Indians, would be back with the Kiwi squad “possibly in time to be picked for the second Test against England but certainly in time for the ICC WTC final.”

Others returning home are: Stephen Fleming, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Mike Hesson, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne, Scott Kuggeleijn, and James Pamment. The charter flight back to New Zealand will depart on Friday from Delhi.

“The group going home to New Zealand is a real challenge. Might be one or two of the franchises might put them on a charter plane, which will be fantastic,” he added.

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