New Zealand's hopes of winning the third Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground have been dealt a blow after fast bowler Trent Boult was ruled out of the match by a fractured hand.
The injury happened while Boult was batting in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Boult's ability with the bat wasn't likely to help New Zealand win the match, but his skill with the ball will be missed in Sydney.
Markets for the Sydney Test have not opened yet, but a late bet on New Zealand to at least draw the second Test against Australia at the MCG are currently 34.00 with Bet365.
What was said about Boult
“Trent suffered a fracture to the second-metacarpal of his right hand after being struck while batting on day three of the second Test against Australia in Melbourne,” said a New Zealand Cricket spokesperson.
“An X-ray during the tea break confirmed the undisplaced fracture which will require around four weeks of rehabilitation, meaning Boult will return home to New Zealand at the end of the Test. A replacement player will be confirmed in due course.”
Team-mate Tom Latham added: “It's obviously gutting news for Trent and also for our group to have someone like that ruled out with his injuries. We'll have to wait and see who the replacement is over the next few days, but I'm sure whoever will come in will be up for the task.”
Spinner Will Somerville has replaced Boult in the New Zealand squad. Australia, meanwhile, have added spinner Mitchell Swepson to their squad for the SCG Test. The move is typical of the conditions on offer in Sydney, where teams have often opted for a second spinner. In the recent past, Steven O'Keefe has partnered Nathan Lyon. This time, Lyon's partner might be Swepson. Either way, a spinner rather than a seamer is the bowler to back in the cricket betting in terms of top wicket-taker in the SCG Test.
“Having Mitchell in Sydney gives us the option to play two specialist spinners if the conditions demand,” said national selector Trevor Hohns.
“We will make those assessments when we get to Sydney. That will be the call we will make when the time is right.”
