Nicholls, Tickner, Jurgensen in isolation after testing positive for Covid-19

Three Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in the New Zealand squad, who are currently in England, where they will play a three-match Test series against the hosts, starting June 2 at Lord's.

Henry Nicholls, Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen have returned with positive Rapid Antigen tests on Friday (May 20) morning and have begun their five-day hotel isolation.

Fortunately, the rest of the touring party have returned negative results, but will be monitored and will be subject to more tests if required. 

Nicholls was already nursing a calf injury that he suffered during training even before leaving for England. The southpaw has been in stellar form of late and overall has hit 2,544 runs at 40.38 n 46 Tests that includes eight tons. 

Tickner, on the other hand, is seen more as a back-up fast bowling option given that the Blackcaps will have their full-strength pace attack, led by Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and the all-round option of Kyle Jamieson. He has played eight T20Is and two ODIs for New Zealand since making his debut in 2019.

Skipper Kane Williamson flew home from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 for the birth of his child. The other Kiwi stars who are in India for the IPL will join the countrymen in England once the tournament concludes on May 29. 

New Zealand's warm-up match against Sussex at the County Ground, Hove will go ahead as scheduled.