Black Caps in a rebuilding stage

Black Caps coach Gary Stead says they decided against sending an SOS call to Trent Boult to help bolster their pace attack for the Test series against England.

Trent Boult bowling at Bay Oval in 2022
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Yesterday Kyle Jamieson was ruled out of the series, while Matt Henry will miss tomorrow’s first game in Mount Maunganui.

Stead says they discussed approaching Boult, who gave up his New Zealand contract last year, and instead promoted Jacob Duffy and Scott Kuggeleign into their squad.

“We discussed it internally but our decision was not to go with Trent on this occasion.

“It’s not saying we’ve ruled Trent out completely for anything in the future and they’ll be ongoing discussions and I’m not sure what the landscape the cricket world might look like in six months time, it might look slightly different again.”

Boult lives close to Bay Oval.

Stead admits the current situation has left them light on experience.

“You’re always tested with your depth when you lose two players on the eve of the match, but Scott and Jacob are both resilient and they both offer something a little bit different as well.

“I’d be very surprised if at least one of them doesn’t debut in this test match.”

The hosts attack is likely to be Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Blair Tickner, and one of either Duffy or Kuggeleijn.

Black Caps at the indoor nets at Bay Oval
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The match goes ahead despite the state of emergency due to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Mount Maunganui has not been hit as badly as other areas in the north of the country.

Although both teams still netted under cover on Tuesday, they were able to hold parts of their training sessions on the outfield at a Bay Oval ground that has a reputation for swift drainage.

Pace bowler Stuart Broad will return to the England team for the first Test.

The 36-year-old missed the 3-0 series win in Pakistan in December following the birth of his daughter.

Broad joins James Anderson and Ollie Robinson in the pace attack for the day-nighter.

England XI for first Test v New Zealand: Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Ben Foakes (wicket-keeper), Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Ollie Robinson, James Anderson.

The Black Caps are unlikely to confirm their eleven until just before the start of the game.

A few showers are forecast for Mount Maunganui on Thursday, but then fine for the rest of the Test.

-RNZ