Hamilton: New Zealand suffered a blow on the eve of the second Test against Pakistan yesterday when bowling spearhead Trent Boult was ruled out with a knee injury.
Matt Henry was expected to be elevated to share the new ball in Hamilton with Tim Southee, although New Zealand delayed naming their side until today’s toss.
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said Boult had been troubled by “minor discomfort” in his left knee since the recent India tour and irritated it further in the first Test against Pakistan which New Zealand won by eight wickets.
“We were optimistic he would be ready for Hamilton, but during training on Wednesday he felt further pain and has subsequently been ruled out of the Test,” Hesson said.
With the Seddon Park wicket expected to produce more swing that Hagley Oval did for the first Test in Christchurch, Doug Bracewell has been added to the New Zealand squad.
Pakistan, who have not lost a series to New Zealand for 31 years, have fond memories of their last appearance in Hamilton nearly six years ago.
They beat New Zealand by 10 wickets and Asad Shafiq, who scored 83 in his sole innings then, said they need to repeat that “aggressive” approach.
“I remember that innings. I played good positive cricket and it really feels good to come back to the same ground,” he said yesterday.
“It seems a bit bowler-friendly wicket, some grass on it, but ... we’re used to playing on these wickets in our domestic cricket.”