After the fantastic ODI series victory against the visitors India, the hosts New Zealand are now preparing for the two-match Test series against this strong Asian side. The top Kiwi pacer Trent Boult, who hasn’t played a cricket match in this year yet, is seemingly getting fit for the forthcoming Test series.
Before the home ODI series against India, New Zealand team was facing a tough time. While some crucial players were continuously missing due to the fitness issues, including injury problem, the Kiwi side was struggling to win the international matches.
After the tough Australia tour, the New Zealand team suffered the loss in five-match home T20I series against India.
However, they came back in the three-match home ODI series against India by winning it 3-0. Though most of the major pacers were unavailable in both the home limited-overs series against India, the hosts performed strongly in the ODI series.
Trent Boult last played in Melbourne Test:
The 30-year-old left-arm pacer Boult played the last game during the 2019 Boxing Day Test against the hosts Australia at Melbourne. Due to the right-hand fracture, Boult majorly missed out the second innings of that match. While the left-arm pacer bowled nine overs during Australia’s second innings, he didn’t come to bat in the final innings of that match.
Recently, the pacer was seen in some rhythm with the ball. While the New Zealand team is focusing on the upcoming home Test series, Boult is eyeing to return in this series.
The prospect of Trent Boult getting fit before the Test series seems quite bright. He looked in an excellent rhythm in the @BLACKCAPS net session yesterday…#NZvIND #NZvsIND #blackcaps #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/FLGuteinT1
— Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) February 10, 2020
New Zealand and India will play the two-match Test series between 21st February and 4th March 2020. The Kiwi Test squad hasn’t been revealed yet while some crucial players are eyeing to make a comeback in the squad.
During the last Australia tour, Lockie Ferguson made Test debut in the first Test at Perth. But after bowling 11 overs, the calf injury forced him to be out of the game.
Like Boult, Ferguson also missed out the recently-concluded home limited-overs series against India. Now, Ferguson is also looking for a return in the Test series as he most recently featured in a List A-game.