New Zealand’s preparations for this year’s T20 World Cup have been hit by injuries to Trent Boult and Tom Latham.
The Black Caps are due to welcome India later this month as they begin building towards October’s T20 World Cup in Australian.
However, those plans could have to begin without key bowler Boult and wicketkeeper/batsman Latham.
Both men suffered fractures in the recent Test series against rivals Australia, which will now potentially alter New Zealand’s preparations for the tournament.
They are currently considered 8.00 (7/1) shots to win the T20 World Cup by bet365. Australia 3.75 (11/4) and India 4.50 (7/2) sit at the head of the market.
T20 World Cup betting odds
| Team | Odds |
| Australia | 3.75 |
| India | 4.50 |
| England | 5.50 |
| South Africa | 7.50 |
| New Zealand | 8.00 |
| West Indies | 10.00 |
| Pakistan | 11.00 |
| Sri Lanka | 26.00 |
| Afghanistan | 51.00 |
| Bangladesh | 101.00 |
| Ireland | 501.00 |
| Netherlands | 1001.00 |
| Oman | 1001.00 |
| Papua New Guinea | 1001.00 |
| Scotland | 1001.00 |
| Namibia | 1501.00 |
India’s busy schedule at the start of the year is set to see them visit New Zealand for five T20Is between January 24 and February 2. That will be followed by three ODIs and two Test matches.
However, before they head to New Zealand to face the Black Caps, Virat Kohli's men with first have three One-Day Internationals against Australia from January 14 to 19.
Boult will have to be assessed before the series after fracturing his hand when struck on the gloves by Mitchell Starc in Australia.
He would be a big miss for the Black Caps considering his ability on the international stage.
While not as effective with the white ball as in Test match cricket, Boult is a key part of New Zealand's attack.
The left-arm bowler has 256 wickets in 65 Tests, 164 wickets in 84 ODIs and 39 wicks in 27 T20Is.
Latham, meanwhile, broke his finger when claiming a catch off Marnus Labuschagne in the final Test in Sydney.
New Zealand coach Gary Stead said: “Boult has been resting his broken right-hand and will return to bowling later this week.
“He'll be touch-and-go to be available for the Indian T20 series later this month and we'll continue to monitor him closely over the next few weeks.”
On Latham, he added: “An X-ray has confirmed a fractured finger for Tom Latham. He will require approximately four weeks of rehabilitation.”
Boult to be ready for IPL 2020?
Defending champions Mumbai Indians will be hopeful that Boult is fully recovered ahead of the new IPL season.
Boult will look to spearhead a push for a fifth IPL title for the franchise.
They won it last season with a one-run victory in the final against rivals Chennai Super Kings.
Boult was with the Delhi Capitals during IPL 2019 before his move to Mumbai. He took five wickets in five innings last season.
They are currently priced as 5.00 (4/1) joint-favourites with bet365 to follow up 2019 victory.
Latest IPL 2020 Odds
| IPL Team | Winner Odds |
| Mumbai Indians | 5.0 |
| Hyderabad Sunrisers | 5.0 |
| Chennai Super Kings | 5.5 |
| Delhi Capitals | 7.0 |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 8.0 |
| Royal Challengers Bangalore | 8.0 |
| Rajasthan Royals | 10.0 |
| Kings XI Punjab | 11.0 |
Boult was joined at MI by Australians Nathan Coulter-Nile and Chris Lynn, who were bought at the IPL Auction for Rs 8,00,00,000 and Rs 2,00,00,000 respectively.
They also strengthened with Indian quartet Saurabh Tiwary, Digvijay Deshmukh, Prince Balwant Rai Singh and Mohsin Khan.
Mumbai Indians 2020 Squad
| Rohit Sharma (c) | Hardik Pandya |
| Kieron Pollard | Jasprit Bumrah |
| Dhawal Kulkarni | Krunal Pandya |
| Ishan Kishan | Anmolpreet Singh |
| Quinton de Kock | Jayant Yadav |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Aditya Tare |
| Rahul Chahar | Anukul Roy |
| Mitchell McClenaghan | Lasith Malinga |
| Sherfane Rutherford | Trent Boult |
| Chris Lynn | Nathan Coulter-Nile |
| Sourabh Tiwary | Prince Balwant Rai Singh |
| Digvijay Deshmukh | Mohsin Khan |
