New Zealand manager Gary Stead recently hinted that Trent Bolt will miss the two-game home Test series against England in February. Since the left-arm seamer is due to go home two days before the start of the Test series, he is unlikely to be linked with the team.
Bolt is no longer New Zealand’s central signing and is currently playing for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL). After the match, the 33-year-old will travel to the UAE to play for the Mumbai Chiefs in the inaugural ILT20 league.
On 16 February, four days after ILT20 concluded, the first Test against England began at Manuganui Hills.
Stead revealed he had discussions with Bolt and it was unlikely he would play in the Test series against England from a workload perspective. As quoted by ESPN Cricinfo, he said:
“No, I wouldn’t think so. I mean Trent and I had discussions and I think he’s coming back from the UAE will only be a day or two before that. [start of England Tests]. I don’t think it’s possible from a workload standpoint. “
The Rotorua-born swing bowler has not played Test cricket since June last year and even opted out of the recent series in Pakistan. He will also miss the limited-round series against Pakistan and India.
‘Players have natural wear and tear’ – Gary Stead on Matt Henry’s injury
and Matt Henry Stead, who will miss Pakistan and India’s white-ball rubber due to an abdominal strain, believes eight drills in the Test could indeed be damaging to the player.
“Playing 10 days out of the last 12 in Karachi was tough, it was a full day with no weather breaks,” he added. “So when you play eight games in each Test match, I guess there’s a natural wear and tear on the players.”
Matt Henry will return home with the rest of the Test squad who did not take part in the ODI series against Pakistan after suffering an abdominal strain on Day 5 of the second Test in Karachi. Alternatives for the ODI squad to face Pakistan and India will be confirmed soon. #PAKvNZ https://t.co/DmzEIDcgJa
The 50-year-old also suggested Tom Blundell Will adapt in time for home test series U.K. After sustaining a left adductor strain. He continued:
“We’re expecting Blundell’s injury to last two to four weeks in terms of full return to play, but we’re hoping the progress he made on the last day, or that period of time, will be shorter.”
The last time New Zealand hosted England in a Test series, the home side won 1-0 in two games.
