A majority of players from the New Zealand side on Monday arrived in London for their upcoming two test series against hosts England before they face India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in June.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said that the other members of the team would arrive here on late Monday.
“Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Neil Wagner will depart Auckland on Monday afternoon (New Zealand time) to join the squad in Southampton,” said NZC earlier on Monday.
“The Maldives-based IPL contingent of captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, team physio Tommy Simsek and trainer Chris Donaldson will arrive on Monday (UK time),” read the statement.
Notably, Kiwi skipper Williamson and some other New Zealand cricketers were in India for the Indian Premier League (IPL), which was postponed few days back owing to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the tournament’s bio-bubble.
After the postponement, the Kiwi players had went to the Maldives before flying out to England.
“Trent Boult will finish his managed isolation on Sunday and return to Mount Maunganui to see his family before a plan is made around his departure to the UK,” the statsaid.
“While in England they will operate in a ‘controlled team environment’ to limit outside contact and risk of transmission. All tour members will complete a daily self-reported health screening as well as undergoing regular Covid testing.”
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Blackcaps are adhering to strict health protocols, including pre-departure vaccinations and Covid tests, along with receiving medical bags equipped with masks and hand sanitiser.