New Zealand batter Henry Nicholls suffered an injury scare shortly before the team’s departure to England.
Nicholls will undergo a scan on his right calf after picking up the injury during running drills in Mount Maunganui ahead of flying out at the weekend. Clarity on his availability is expected in the next day or so. “He’s having an MRI scan later today, so we’ll know more after that as to the extent of it. But he’s got it strapped up and I guess the next 24 to 48 hours will give us an indication of how serious that is,” said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead as reported by ESPNcricinfo. Nicholls is a prominent part of the Kiwi’s Test squad. He has made eight centuries in 46 matches with an average of 40.38.
New Zealand is all set to face England in a three-match Test series during June with the opening match beginning at Lord’s on June 2. Both the teams will also face each other in two warm-up matches at the end of May.
Meanwhile, New Zealand Cricket Board on Tuesday signed former England all-rounder Luke Wright as a part of their coaching staff during their upcoming limited-overs tours of Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands.
Apart from Wright, Dion Ebrahim, Dean Brownlie and Graeme Aldridge will also be part of the set-up alongside lead bowling coach Shane Jurgensen and batting coach Luke Ronchi. “Along with the practicality of having an extra set of hands, it’s also a way of introducing different voices and skills to the group, as well as giving the fourth coaches themselves an opportunity to learn and develop,” said New Zealand head coach Gary Stead, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
“Dion is a promising new head coach on the domestic scene. I’m sure he will get plenty out of touring with the Blackcaps. Luke will offer in-depth knowledge of the conditions in the UK and his vast experiences in T20 cricket all around the world,” he added.