New Zealand pacer Trent Boult is set to return home in New Zealand on May 8 instead of heading to England straight away from India with his compatriots. The left-arm pacer was representing Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. But the tournament got suspended after a couple of positive cases was reported in the bio-bubble forced the players to return home. Eight of the 11 England players representing various franchises reached the United Kingdom on May 5, Wednesday. They will serve the mandatory 10-day quarantine at any hotel in the UK.
The Australian players will spend a few days in the Maldives or Sri Lanka and then leave for Australia on a charter flight. While the Kiwis, who will probably feature in the Test series against England in the latter’s backyard in June, will leave for the UK from India.
Trent Boult to miss two-match series against England
However, Trent Boult and Chris Donaldson, a trainer from New Zealand, went back home to meet their families. The duo will be in isolation for two weeks upon arrival. Donaldson was with the Kolkata Knight Riders as a trainer in the IPL 2021.
According to the statement released by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) Boult will join New Zealand in England, and possibly be available for the second Test against England. NZC also assured that he will surely be a part of their squad for the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Test Championship final in case he goes unavailable for the second Test.
NZC chief executive David White told the ESPNCricinfo: “We’re completely supportive of Chris and Trent taking the opportunity to see their families before heading to the UK.” “They’ve always been the consummate professionals, and we’re more than happy to accommodate these arrangements,” he added.
Two charter flights will carry the NZ-based staff, including players, commentators, and officials, to their homes. The flights will depart for NZ on Friday.
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