NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand pacer Trent Boult is hopeful he could play in the second Test against England at Edgbaston so that he can accustomed to swing the Duke ball ahead of the World Test Championship final against India.
Head coach Gary Stead said that Boult, who arrives in UK on June 4 after some time off with his family, will not feature in the England Tests.
"I don't think you'll see Trent in the two Test matches here," Stead said on Monday. "He arrives on Friday, our planning and what we're looking at doing with Trent is having him ready for the WTC final. He's been home, he has had a week of bowling over there which has been great after the fair amount of isolation time at the end of the IPL. But our view with Trent right now is it's unlikely that he will play the Test at Edgbaston. He's more likely to be just available for the one-off Test."
However, Boult expressed his eagerness to be a part of the second Test.
"Everything is feeling good with what lies ahead, a big stage for the World Test Championship final, and hopefully I can get over there and be part of that second Test as well," Boult said on Tuesday.
Boult's absence will open up a spot for the likes of Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell and Jacob Duffy with Stead also mulling over an option to pick either Colin de Grandhomme or Daryl Mitchell in the pace-bowling allrounder spot.
"Within our squad here, Matt Henry, Doug Bracewell, and Jacob Duffy are the other seam-bowling options, so they're the ones that I think are in contention to come in there," Stead said.
Boult said he's looking forward to make history with New Zealand by winning the WTC final, which is set to begin on June 18.
"To get into that final and get this opportunity, the excitement is definitely ramping up now and once I step foot in the UK. Once I smell that English fresh air and see the [Duke] ball move about, I'll definitely be excited. The way this group has traveled in New Zealand and around the world, I think the boys are in a great place to create a bit of history."
Boult was also keen on getting used to the Duke ball having bowled with it in the previous Tests against England.
"I haven't had too much experience with it, played a handful of Tests over in England. It reacts a lot differently, then you have to weigh in all these different venues. I'm sure the boys are very excited to get it in their hands and see it move around, hopefully we can entertain you a little bit over the next wee while."
New Zealand will play their first Test against England at Lord's from June 2-6 and the second Test from June 10-14.