Flights booked for Black Caps

Departure dates out of India have been locked in for the New Zealanders stranded in the country after the postponement of cricket’s Indian Premier League.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has confirmed Black Caps captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner, as well as Australian physio Tommy Simsek, would leave India bound for the UK next Tuesday.

The date was earliest an exemption for their arrival in England could be obtained from the UK governement, with all four set to remain in a “secure mini-bubble” in New Delhi until their departure.

However, star seamer Trent Boult and Black Caps physio Chris Donaldson, would instead return home with the other New Zealanders who had been involved with the IPL.

In a statement, NZC said Boult would return briefly to see his family before reconnecting with the Test squad in early June.

That meant the left-armer would possibly be in line for the second Test against England and definitely back in time for the World Test Championship final.

Along with the balance of the New Zealand-bound IPL players, support staff and commentators, Boult was scheduled to depart New Delhi on Friday on one of two charter flights, arriving in Auckland on Saturday before undergoing managed isolation.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT

All going as planned, he would leave MIQ on May 22 and spend a week at home with his family, training at Mt Maunganui before departing for the UK in early June.

NZC chief executive David White said Boult and Donaldson returned home for the three-week period with the blessing of NZC and the Black Caps management.

“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.”

“We’ve worked closely with the BCCI and the IPL franchises on the various departure strategies and we’re very appreciative of their support during what is, clearly, a very challenging time.

“We’re also very grateful to the England and Wales Cricket Board for accommodating the early arrival of the four members of the Test squad currently in India.”

White said the IPL players, support staff and commentators returning to New Zealand would adhere to all regulatory protocols, including pre-departure Covid-19 tests.

The New Zealand-based Test squad members were set to depart for England on May 16 and 17.