Black Caps touch down in UK ahead of WTC final and England series

The team and its support staff touched down in London on Sunday afternoon, flying from Auckland via Singapore. They were then transferred from Heathrow airport to the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, where they will be based for the first two weeks of the tour.

Nine members of New Zealand’s 20-player squad for the two-Test series against England are still to join the group in Southampton.

Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Neil Wagner will depart Auckland on Monday afternoon (NZ time) to link with the group in England, and the Maldives-based IPL contingent of captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, team physio Tommy Simsek and trainer Chris Donaldson will arrive on Monday (UK time).

Will Young, who was already in England playing County cricket for Durham, will also reach Southampton on Monday and undergo isolation at the Hampshire Bowl before joining his teammates for training.

Fast bowler Trent Boult, who is completing managed isolation in New Zealand, will return to Mount Maunganui to see his family before a plan is made around his departure to the UK.

The first three days for the squad will be spent in hotel room isolation, before mini-training groups of six can be established from days 4-6, pending negative covid results.

A three-day team intra-squad game is scheduled from 26 May to 28 May in Southampton, where six local bowlers who have isolated in advance will help make up the sides.

New Zealand will then play two Tests against England, with the first match at Lord’s commencing on 2 June and the second at Edgbaston beginning 10 June.

The Black Caps will then face India in the WTC final at the Hampshire Bowl, starting 18 June.