Cricket: Kiwi IPL players rushed home from India, Black Caps test players receive exemptions to enter United Kingdom

New Zealand Cricket has revealed its plans for the Kiwi Indian Premier League contingent of players included in the upcoming trio of test matches in England, following the suspension of the Twenty20 competition.

New Zealand players will depart from India for the United Kingdom on May 11, which is the earliest date an exemption to travel into England can be obtained.

Black Caps captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner, as well as physio Tommy Simsek, will remain in a secure mini-bubble in New Delhi before departing.

However, pace bowler Trent Boult will return to New Zealand briefly to tend to family matters before re-joining the test squad in early June. He could arrive in time to be picked for the second test against England at Edgbaston starting June 10.

Boult is set to depart New Delhi tomorrow along with other home-bound Kiwi players, support staff and commentators on one of two charter flights, arriving in Auckland on Saturday before entering managed isolation.

Trainer Chris Donaldson, who has been in camp with the Kolkata Knight Riders who were the first IPL team to report positive Covid-19 cases, will also return home briefly to see his family before reconnecting with the squad.

NZC chief executive David White said Boult and Donaldson will return to New Zealand for the three-week period with the blessing of management.

“We’re completely supportive of Chris and Trent taking the opportunity to see their families before heading to the UK,” he said.

“They’ve always been the consummate professionals and we’re more than happy to accommodate these arrangements.

“We’ve worked closely with the BCCI and the IPL franchises on the various departure strategies and we’re very appreciative of their support during what is, clearly, a very challenging time.

“Were also very grateful to the England and Wales Cricket Board for accommodating the early arrival of the four members of the Test squad currently in India.”

White said New Zealanders involved in the IPL returning would adhere to all regulatory protocols, including pre-departure Covid tests.

The New Zealand-based test squad members will depart on May 16 and 17, ahead of their two tests with England and the World Test Championship final against India.

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