New Zealand’s Black Caps cricket team received a boost as fast bowler Trent Boult was announced to return for the One Day International (ODI) squad. Boult’s comeback comes just in time for the Cricket World Cup, which is set to start in October. However, captain Kane Williamson is racing against time to recover from his injury and join the team for the tournament. In the meantime, Tom Latham will lead the side in Williamson’s absence.
Boult’s return is a significant development for the Black Caps, as his experience and skill will bolster the team’s chances in the upcoming World Cup. On the other hand, Williamson’s presence is eagerly anticipated, but his recovery from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered in April poses a challenge. He will join the team during the England tour to continue his rehabilitation and training.
The Black Caps will also have the services of Kyle Jamieson, who will make a comeback from a back injury in the T20 squad. He is set to face the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in a match next week as part of the preparations for the England series.
However, Mark Chapman and Jimmy Neesham will miss the four-game England series due to the impending arrivals of their first children. Spinner Ish Sodhi will also be returning home after the T20I series against England to spend time with his family ahead of a busy cricket schedule.
Meanwhile, Michael Bracewell remains unavailable for selection as he continues his recovery from surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon in June.
Black Caps coach Gary Stead expressed his excitement about the upcoming England series, as it will provide valuable preparation for the Cricket World Cup. Stead acknowledged England’s prowess in white-ball cricket and anticipated a highly competitive series. The matches against England will take place at iconic venues like The Oval and Lord’s, which adds to the excitement for the team.
Stead also highlighted the significance of the returns of Boult and Jamieson, who have overcome different challenges to make it back to the team. He praised their hard work and expressed his delight to welcome them back to the international stage.
The 15-player squad for the Cricket World Cup in India will be announced in early September, marking an important milestone for the Black Caps. The team’s final ODI series before the World Cup will be a three-game series in Bangladesh in late September.
As the Black Caps gear up for the Cricket World Cup, the additions of Boult and Jamieson bring renewed hope, while they await Williamson’s recovery. With a challenging series against England on the horizon, the team aims to fine-tune their skills and build momentum for the highly anticipated tournament.
