Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult to reach New Zealand on May 8; likely to miss Test series against England

Unlike most of his New Zealand national teammates, fast bowler Trent Boult will return to his home country from the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of going straight to England. The left-arm swing bowler, who represented Mumbai Indians in the cash-rich league, might miss the two-match Test series against England, but could still manage to be available for the World Test Championship final against India.

Boult and another New Zealander, Chris Donaldson will be spending a week with their respective families before being in mandatory isolation for two weeks after their return to New Zealand. Donaldson, a trainer from New Zealand, was involved with the Kolkata Knight Riders. After spending a week at home, the duo will join the New Zealand squad in England.

Going by a statement released by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC), the 31-year-old fast bowler will be back with the team possibly in time to be selected for the second Test match against England. However, it was assured by NZC that if that doesn’t happen, he will certainly be back in time for the ICC World Test Championship final.

Trent Boult to train in Mount Maunganui while spending time with family

If IPL 2021 would have continued as scheduled, it would have been difficult for him to be available for the first Test at the Lord’s in London on June 2. David White, the NZC chief executive spoke about this. “We’re completely supportive of Chris and Trent taking the opportunity to see their families before heading to the UK,” White said and was quoted by ESPNCricinfo, “They’ve always been the consummate professionals and we’re more than happy to accommodate these arrangements.”

Boult and Donaldson are due to leave from New Delhi on Friday, where one of the two charter flights will carry New Zealand-based players, support staff, and commentators to their home country. They will land on Saturday in Auckland, which means their mandatory isolation will end by May 22. While Boult spends time at home for a week, he will also train at Mount Maunganui. He is expected to leave for England in early June.

The rest of the players who will travel from New Zealand will depart for England on May 16 and 17. Some of the players will be going to England straight from India on a second chartered flight arranged for New Zealand-based players.

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