New Zealand's IPL bound player likely to travel to England directly for WTC Final

India is currently witnessing an upsurge in coronavirus cases and that has caused a medical emergency in the country. Terrified by the damage caused by the second wave of Covid-19 in the country, many countries including New Zealand and Australia have banned flights from India.

The same has emerged as a major concern for the overseas players present in India to participate in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). After the conclusion of the IPL 2021 on May 30, New Zealand is scheduled to play a two-match Test series against England followed by the final of WTC against India.

Even if there is no ban on the flights, it is practically impossible for the Kiwi players participating in the Test fixtures to reach New Zealand, complete a 14-day quarantine, and then fly to England. New Zealand has named a 20-member team for the two-match Test series in England starting on June 2 and the squad will be trimmed to 15 for the WTC final against India, starting on June 18 at Southampton.

We’re working closely with NZ Cricket, says Heath Mills

Speaking about the issue, NZ Cricket Players Association chief executive Heath Mills reckoned that New Zealand Cricket is working closely with BCCI and ECB and are trying to work out the logistics. He also indicated the possibility of the NZ players flying alongside the Indian players to England for the Test series.

“They can’t very well come home, do the two weeks isolation and then go to England, so they’re going to have to be there (India) until the round-robin finishes, or the final series. Then we’ve got other players who are coming home – logistically there’s not a lot of flights. It’s not easy to sort out the logistics. We’re working closely with NZ Cricket and they’re in touch with the BCCI and the ICC,” Mills was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.

A total of ten New Zealand players are currently participating in IPL 2021. Out of 10 players, captain Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Mitchell Santner are a part of the Test squad while Scott Kuggeleijn, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson, and Tim Seifert are not in the team.

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