Wellington: The team’s coach Gary Stead says New Zealand cricketers, including captain Kane Williamson, who is in quarantine in the Maldives after being suspended from the IPL, could go to England this weekend for an upcoming series of two Tests.
Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson and physio Tommy Simsek are currently undergoing isolation in the Maldives and the Test series against England will start on 2 June, followed by the final of the World Cup against India from 18 June in Southampton.
“I do not know all the details yet,” Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
‘My understanding is that they are looking for somewhere around the time we leave (15, 16 or 17 May) in that time frame. My understanding is that the Council of England is still working on the final details of what it means to come through the Maldives as opposed to New Zealand, ” he added.
Maldives has been placed on the UK government list, meaning no direct flights will be allowed from the country into England and residents coming from there will have to undergo a ten-day quarantine.
Stead also hinted that pacemaker Trent Boult, who is home after the IPL suspension, may only be available for the WTC final and previous Tests against England.
“Everyone has their reasons for it,” Stead said.
‘India changed very, very quickly over the course of two or three days, and there were options that the guys put forward, and he (Boult) felt for him and his mental health. The best thing he could do was come home for a while. “
“He will be ready. We work through what the build-up looks like for him and his readiness for the World Test final when he returns to us. ‘
Source: Telangana Today