New Zealand cricketers land for biosecure tour of England

Tuesday, 18 May 2021 01:16 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

New Zealand v England - First Test

REUTERS: New Zealand cricketers have arrived in London to start their biosecure tour of England before the ICC World Test Championship Final against India, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Monday.

Most of the test squad and staff had been transferred to hotel quarantine in Southampton where they will warm up for the two-Test series against England, NZC said in a statement.

“The first three days will be spent in hotel room isolation, before mini training groups of six can be established from days four to six, pending negative COVID results,” NZC said.

Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Neil Wagner will depart Auckland later on Monday to join the squad in Southampton.

Captain Kane Williamson and other players and staff who were involved in the suspended Indian Premier League were expected to arrive in England later on Monday after flying out of the Maldives, NZC said.

After a successful stint with English county side Durham, batsman Will Young will also link up with the team on Monday and undergo isolation at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl before joining his teammates for training.

Pace spearhead Trent Boult will join the group later after spending some time with family, NZC added.

New Zealand play the first Test against England at Lord’s from 2 June before the second in Birmingham from 10 June.

The Black Caps then face Virat Kohli’s India in the World Test Championship final in Southampton from 18 June.

Separately, most of Australia’s IPL cricketers arrived home on Monday after passing a week in the Maldives waiting for border restrictions to be lifted. David Warner, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and support staff were among a 40-strong contingent that touched down in a charter plane in Sydney.

They will spend a fortnight in mandatory hotel quarantine.

Australia lifted a two-week ban on its citizens returning from COVID-ravaged India last week.