“Trent required a little further time to be ready for the demands of Test cricket”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand left-arm seamer Trent Boult has been ruled out of the third Test against South Africa after failing to sufficiently recover from an upper leg injury.

Boult injured himself in the first Test in Dunedin and was subsequently sidelined for the second Test in Wellington.

With the 27-year-old out, there is a possibility that Scott Kuggeleijn could make his Test debut in Hamilton as he was called up to replace Boult.

“Trent did everything possible to get himself ready for this Test and is extremely disappointed to be missing out,” New Zealand selector Gavin Larsen said. “While he has made good progress, after training yesterday we spoke with medical staff and it was agreed that Trent required a little further time to be ready for the demands of Test cricket. Not having Trent or Tim available tests the depth of our squad, but we’re confident of the job that Neil and Matt can do for us.”

In November last year, Kuggeleijn made himself unavailable for selection for the New Zealand team as he was charged with rape. However, he was found not guilty on February 27.

The 25-year-old, who plays for Northern Districts, returned to domestic cricket after being found innocent and is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the Plunket Shield, which is New Zealand’s first-class competition, with 31 wickets in nine matches at an average of 25.48.

Since pace bowler Tim Southee will also miss the match with a torn hamstring, New Zealand’s pace attack now consists of Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, Colin de Grandhomme, James Neesham and Kuggeleijn.

South Africa hold a 1-0 lead in the series going into the third Test as they beat New Zealand by eight wickets in Wellington.