News

Boult ruled out of second Test, Bracewell called up

New Zealand has been dealt another injury blow on the eve of the second Test with fast bowler Trent Boult ruled out after aggravating a right knee injury

Trent Boult took 5 for 76 in the first Test against Pakistan but aggravated a right knee injury in the process  •  Getty Images

Trent Boult took 5 for 76 in the first Test against Pakistan but aggravated a right knee injury in the process  •  Getty Images

New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan by a knee injury. Doug Bracewell has been added to the squad in place of Boult.
Boult had "irritation in the joint of his right knee" since the tour of India, coach Mike Hesson said, and had since aggravated the complaint while fielding in the first Test in Christchurch. He did continue to bowl through each of Pakistan's innings in that match, however, claiming match figures of 5 for 76.
"We were optimistic he would be ready for Hamilton, but during training on Wednesday felt further pain and has subsequently been ruled out of the Test," said Hesson. New Zealand hope Boult will recover in time for the three-match ODI series in Australia, which begins December 4, but will "continue to monitor him over the coming days".
Matt Henry is foremost among those vying to replace Boult in the starting XI, having been in the squad since the beginning of the series. He had bowled creditably in the Kolkata Test during New Zealand's recent tour of India, but like other seamers, had struggled in Indore.
Boult has not missed a New Zealand Test since early 2012, having played in 44 consecutive Tests.

Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. @andrewffernando