Published: Nov 22, 2015, 08:00 AM (IST)
Edited: Nov 22, 2015, 08:07 AM (IST)
Perth: Paceman Trent Boult is on track to play against Australia in this week’s first-ever day-night Test in Adelaide, team officials insisted Sunday. The 26-year-old failed to bowl in this weekend’s day-night tour match against a Western Australia XI in Perth, where both sides agreed pre-match they would each have one full day of batting. New Zealand assistant coach Craig McMillan indicated earlier in the week that all 15 members of the touring party would play some part in the two-day game. But Boult, who suffered a stress-related injury to his back earlier this year and was underdone when the squad arrived in Australia, did not bowl an over in the WA XI innings. LIVE SCORECARD: Australia vs New Zealand , 3rd Test match at Adelaide
“We’ll assess him over the next couple of days and he’s on track to be fit for the third Test,” bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas of the left-armer, who has been down on pace and struggled during the first two Tests. “He’s going okay as far as I know.” If Boult is ruled out of Friday’s third Test, fellow left-armer Neil Wagner looks likely for a recall after taking five for 62 from 19 overs in the WA XI innings on Saturday. ALSO READ: Australia vs New Zealand 2015-16: Kookaburra Managing Director Brett Elliot hits back at pink ball criticism
Before the tour began Trent Boult had labelled the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia as the ‘ highlight of his career’, adding that he is looking forward to play one of the massive game against the trans-Tasman rivals. Describing Australia as ‘better’ Test opponents at the moment, the 26-year-old affirmed that his side has got a good blueprint to play the game, Sport24 reported. Boult said that although his side have not beaten Australia in a series for the last thirty years, there is a motivation level to succeed this time.
