Trent Boult will return to New Zealand after the aborted IPL instead of heading straight to England with the other Test players and could miss the two-match series although will still be available for the World Test Championship final against India.
Boult, along with New Zealand trainer Chris Donaldson, who has been with the Kolkata Knight Riders, will spend about a week with their families after undergoing the mandatory two weeks in managed isolation on their return before joining the Test squad in England.
An NZC statement said that Boult would be back with the squad “possibly in time to be picked for the second Test against England but certainly in time for the ICC WTC final.”
Had the IPL runs its full course, Boult would likely have been unavailable for the first Test at Lord’s which starts on June 2 and it may have been tight for the second Test due to quarantine requirements.
“We’re completely supportive of Chris and Trent taking the opportunity to see their families before heading to the UK,” David White, the NZC chief executive, said. “They’ve always been the consummate professionals and we’re more than happy to accommodate these arrangements.”
Boult and Donaldson are due to depart New Delhi on Friday on one of two charter flights along with the other New Zealand-based players, support staff and commentators who are returning on home.
They are due back in Auckland on Saturday which means that their managed isolation should be complete by May 22. The plan for Boult is that he will then spend his week at home alongside training at Mount Maunganui before leaving for England in early June.
Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner, along with physio Tommy Simsek, will travel to England on May 11.
“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,” White said. “Were 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.”
The New Zealand-based members of the Test squad, who have just had the first of two training camps in Christchurch, will depart for England on May 16 and 17.
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