Photo Credit: BCCI
BLACKCAPS batsman Henry Nicholls will depart with the touring party to England this weekend as planned, after an MRI scan revealed a grade one strain to his right calf.
The Test number five sustained the injury during a running session on day one of the side’s three-day pre tour camp in Mount Maunganui.
Coach Gary Stead said the scan result was good news, but warned that Nicholls would still be a touch and go prospect for the first Test against England at Lord’s on June 2.
“While it’s a positive that Henry hasn’t torn the calf, the next two to three weeks are going to be crucial in terms of his recovery and subsequent availability for the Test series.
“Calves can be a challenge to rehab and we will need to minimise the risk of him re-injuring himself with any return to match action.
“With that in mind he is unlikely to play a full part in the two warm-up games as he works on his recovery with our physio Vijay Vallabh and trainer Chris Donaldson.
“Henry’s obviously an important player for us at number five and we know he’ll be doing everything he can to make himself available.
The BLACKCAPS wrap up their training camp in the Mount today and depart for England in two groups this weekend.
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
