New Zealand paceman Trent Boult out of second Test against Pakistan with knee injury
Thursday 16 March 2017 12:36, UK
New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult has been ruled out of the second Test against Pakistan, live on Sky Sports 2, with a knee injury.
Matt Henry is expected to be promoted to share the new ball in Hamilton with Tim Southee, although New Zealand have delayed naming their side until Friday's toss.
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New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said Boult had been troubled by "minor discomfort" in his left knee since the recent India tour and irritated it further in the first Test against Pakistan, which New Zealand won by eight wickets.
"We were optimistic he would be ready for Hamilton, but during training on Wednesday he felt further pain and has subsequently been ruled out of the Test," said Hesson.
Doug Bracewell has been added to the New Zealand squad with the Seddon Park wicket expected to produce more swing than Hagley Oval did during the first Test in Christchurch.
Pakistan, who have not lost a series to New Zealand for 31 years, have fond memories of their last appearance in Hamilton nearly six years ago.
They beat New Zealand by 10 wickets and Asad Shafiq, who scored 83 in his sole innings then, said they need to repeat that "aggressive" approach.
"I remember that innings. I played good positive cricket and it really feels good to come back to the same ground," he said Thursday.
"It seems a bit bowler-friendly wicket, some grass on it, but ... we're used to playing on these wickets in our domestic cricket.
"It's a good challenge for us. We have to play positive and we have to play aggressive on this wicket."
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