New Zealand vs England 2019: Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme ruled out of Hamilton Test
The New Zealand camp has received a major setback in its bid to claim the series against England, as left arm-pacer Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme have both been ruled out of the second Test due to muscle injuries. All-rounder Daryl Mitchell has been called up as a replacement.
Lockie Ferguson and Todd Astle, who were both released from the Test squad by NZC to play domestic games, have been recalled to the squad as well.
Boult had reported pain on the right side of his ribs on the final day of the first Test and was therefore taken off after bowling just one over. De Grandhomme meanwhile strained an abdominal muscle which prevented him from bowling after lunch on Day 5 of the first Test.
New Zealand Cricket released a statement regarding the injuries to both players which said:
“An MRI scan yesterday confirmed Boult had strained one of the muscles overlying his ribs on his right-hand side but cleared him of any bone stress… Colin de Grandhomme has a tear to his left lower abdominal muscle, sustained during the second fielding innings in the first test win over England at Bay Oval."
Boult claimed Jofra Archer as his only wicket in the first Test, but was impressive in patches. He bowled six overs in the second innings before going off the pitch due to pain in the ribs.
De Grandhomme on the other hand claimed three wickets in the match and made a useful contribution of 65 runs in the only innings that New Zealand batted.
The second match starts on 29 November in Hamilton.
New Zealand squad for the 2nd Test:
Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Tom Blundell, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Todd Astle