Black Caps coming together

Farflung squad starts to arrive in England to prepare for two tests against hosts and World Championship final

The Black Caps squad has begun to arrive in England for the two-test series and then the World Test Championship final. The first part of the squad left on Saturday and have arrived while the rest were due to touch down in London today.

The players and support staff were transferred from London Heathrow airport to the Rose Bowl in Southampton where they will be based for the first two weeks.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Black Caps are adhering to strict health protocols including pre-departure vaccinations and Covid tests, along with receiving medical bags equipped with masks and hand sanitiser.

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.

The first three days will be spent in hotel room isolation, before mini training groups of six can be established from days 4-6, pending negative

Covid results.

Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Neil Wagner left Auckland yesterday to join the squad in Southampton.

The Maldives-based IPL contingent of captain Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson, Mitchell Santner, team physio Tommy Simsek and trainer Chris Donaldson were to arrive in the UK last night.

After a successful County Championship stint with Durham, batsman Will Young will also link up with the team and undergo isolation at the Rose Bowl before joining his teammates for training.

A three-day team intra-squad game is scheduled from Wednesday May 26 to Friday May 28 in Southampton, where six local bowlers who have isolated in advance will help make up the sides.

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.