New Zealand head coach Gary Stead says Trent Boult unlikely to face England in Test series – but seamer is not ruling himself out of playing in the second game at Edgbaston; Devon Conway in contention to open the batting for Black Caps in the first Test at Lord’s

Boult returned home to New Zealand after the suspension of the Indian Premier League, at which he was playing for Mumbai Indians, in order to quarantine and spend time with his family.

“I don’t think you’ll see Trent in the two-Test matches here,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead told reporters on Monday.

“He arrives on Friday, our planning and what we’re looking at doing with Trent is having him ready for the World Test Championship final.

“He’s been home, he has had a week of bowling over there which has been great after the fair amount of isolation time at the end of the IPL,” he added.

“But our view with Trent right now is it’s unlikely that he will play the Test at Edgbaston. And he’s more likely to be just available for the one-off Test.”

The 31-year-old said he’s looking forward to the WTC final and expects New Zealand to ‘create a bit of history has done well in the Test matches in the recent past.

Boult hopeful of playing the second Test against England:

“To get into that final and get this opportunity, the excitement is definitely ramping up now and once I step foot in the UK. Once I smell that English fresh air and see the [Duke] ball move about, I’ll definitely be excited. The way this group has traveled in New Zealand and around the world, I think the boys are in a great place to create a bit of history.”

Speaking about the Duke ball, Boult said: “I haven’t had too much experience with it, played a handful of Tests over in England. It reacts a lot differently, then you have to weigh in all these different venues. I’m sure the boys are very excited to get it in their hands and see it move around, hopefully, we can entertain you a little bit over the next wee while.”

New Zealand plays their opening Test against England at Lord’s from June 2 while the second Test begins on June 10. The WTC final between India and New Zealand, to be played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, gets underway on June 18.