The New Zealand cricket squad will be sans the services of paceman Trent Boult for the second Test against Pakistan due to a knee injury.
Boult’s absence meant a promotion for Matt Henry, who will share the bowling duties with Tim Southee. The rest of the New Zealand side will not be divulged until Friday’s toss.
“Minor discomfort” is how New Zealand coach Mike Hesson characterised the issue troubling Boult, but as anyone who has bowled, whether pace or spin knows, pain-free knees are an absolute must.
Boult suffered the injury on the recent New Zealand tour of South Africa, and then exacerbated the situation further in the first Test with Pakistan. New Zealand won that Test by a margin of eight wickets.
New Zealand has also added swingman Doug Bracewell to the side, as the Seddon Park site for the second Test might favour that strategy compared to the site of the first Test, Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
If New Zealand were to prevail against Pakistan in the series, it would be the first time to do so in over 30 years. On that occasion, the Pakistanis beat the Kiwis by 10 wickets playing on the same ground that will be used for the upcoming second Test, so that ground holds no intimidation for them.