New Zealand cricketers in IPL 2021 may leave for UK from Maldives over the weekend: Gary Stead
New Zealand Test players who were a part of IPL 2021 and are currently stationed in Maldives are likely to leave the island nation for UK this weekend, head coach Gary Stead said.
In Short
- New Zealand players likely to depart for UK from Maldives this weekend
- UK-bound Kiwi Test cricketers headed to Maldives after suspension of IPL 2021
- The three New Zealand Test players will travel to England for the WTC final from the Maldives now
New Zealand head coach Gary Stead on Tuesday said that the Kiwi players, who participated in IPL 2021 and are currently in the Maldives, may depart for the United Kingdom over this weekend.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson were transferred to the Maldives after leaving the mini bio-bubble in New Delhi post the suspension of the IPL 2021. The World Test Championship (WTC) final-bound trio along with physio Tommy Simsek and trainer Chris Donaldson will leave for England from the Maldives now.
Stead further said that it was unclear whether the Black Caps will have to undergo quarantine in the UK after coming from the Maldives.
"I don't know all the details right now. My understanding is that they are looking to leave (Maldives) somewhere around the time that we leave -- May 15, 16 or 17 -- in that time frame. My understanding is that the England board is still working through the final details of what it means to come through the Maldives as opposed to New Zealand," Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
"They can still work on their fitness. So I don't see it as a bad thing. It's an adapting world and I think that's just something we've got to keep doing," he added.
"Everyone has got their reasons around it. India changed very, very quickly, over the space of two or three days, and there were options put in front of the guys and he (Boult) felt for him and his mental health, the best thing he could do was get home for a while," said Stead.
"He is a professional, he has been there in the international circuit for a long time now. He will be ready. We are working through what build-up looks like to him and his readiness for the World Test Championship final when he comes back to us," he added.