AUS vs NZ | Trent Boult's participation doubtful ahead of series opener in Perth

12/11/2019

The participation of New Zealand tearaway Trent Boult in the series opener against Australia is still a question. Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson informed that Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme are recovering well as he expressed his joy of having talented Lockie Ferguson as an option in the team.

After clinching their previous series with some strong performances respectively, rivals Australia and New Zealand come toe to toe to assert their dominance. While the Kiwis have been playing brilliant cricket lately, injuries seem to be the real issue for the visitors.

New Zealand's pace spearhead Trent Boult is not available for the first Test match yet due to a side injury he picked up in the series opener against England. While he has been able to make it through a training session, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson shared that a call can only be made after the training session on Wednesday, which might very well be the last one for them before the D/N series opener in Perth.

Boult‘s speed and swing could have proved lethal for the Kangaroos with the pink ball which considered a menace for the batsmen, picking up 16 wickets in just two Day-Nighter games. His record against Australia have been tremendous, having picked up 22 wickets against the Aussies, including 17 in Australia.

“We’re going to have another look at (Boult) today before deciding anything tomorrow. I think you look at it as a long-term decision in terms of this whole series. He has tracked really nicely and felt really good yesterday.” Hindustan Times quoted Williamson.

Williamson also shared the whereabouts of his other two injured teammates, Ross Taylor and Colin de Grandhomme, and is confident that the duo is recovering well. “Ross is fine, just a bit of a knock but nothing major. Colin is tracking nicely,” he said.

With Boult’s inclusion in the XI a doubt, uncapped speedster Lockie Ferguson can be in for his Test debut as the skipper heaped praises about his speed which could undo the Aussies on a fast and bouncy Perth pitch and especially with the pink ball being used.

“It’s exciting we’ve got Lockie in our squad to consider him,” Williamson said. “It’s exciting to have a guy in our camp who can bowl at that speed.”