New Zealand's Trent Boult to miss the second Test against England in Hamilton

New Zealand continued their winning juggernaut at home when they swatted aside England by an innings & 65 runs at the Bay Oval. Requiring seven wickets to wrap up the Test match on the final day, Neil Wagner (5-44) and Mitchell Santner (3-53) ran riot. However, of all the good things that happened with the home side on the fifth day, there was also a body blow waiting for them when premier fast bowler- Trent Boult- left the field after having bowled just one following pain in the right side of his ribs.

The left-arm bowler underwent an MRI scan on Tuesday with the results expected on Wednesday. However, with the all-important Australian tour looming and the current series against England, not a part of the ongoing ICC Test Championship, Kiwi coach Gary Stead has confirmed that they are unlikely to risk Boult for the second Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

“The early indications are it’s unlikely he’ll play in the next test. He was pretty sore and couldn’t bowl, so that’s probably not looking good for him for Friday.” Stead said as quoted by nzherald.co.nz. Boult’s injury opens up about the possibility of a Lockie Ferguson’s debut.

Trent Boult’s injury could pave way for Lockie Ferguson or Matt Henry

But Stead is cautious about the same and asserted Matt Henry offers a similar skillset compared to Boult, something that could be well suited to the track in Hamilton. They’ll have a look at the pitch before taking a call as to who will partner Tim Southee and Neil Wagner in the second Test.

“We know the skills Lockie has and the point of difference that may bring to us, whether that happens in this test match or not is still something we need to see over the next couple of days. We’ll have a look at the pitch when we get to Hamilton and see what that’s like.

“If it’s a very dry wicket as well, there’s the potential of playing two spinners, so we’ve got different options that we’ll keep looking at and considering. There’s also Matt Henry, who has done a fine job for New Zealand in the past when he’s been given an opportunity.” Stead added.

The New Zealand team management was vindicated in not changing their playing XI for the first Test and Stead argued that his teams’ record of not losing a home Test for 32 months, reduces the chances of making any changes to the set-up and one can see the impact of continuity of team selection with New Zealand’s imperious performance in the first Test.

“You look at the home record that’s been forged over the past three or four years – there haven’t been too many test losses and I think that says a lot about the continuity of the team as well, guys are accustomed to the role that they’re playing for the team. If you’re ever going to mess with that, you’ve got to be sure it’s for the right reason.” Stead said.

[interaction id=”5dcd637bd42ed3f7503f9729″]