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NZ-Cricket-Team
The New Zealand cricket team has departed to the UK for the forthcoming two-match series against England and the WTC final against India. The two-Test series against England begins on June 2, and the WTC final starts in Southampton on June 18. NZ star pacer Trent Boult is likely to miss both the games against England. Team India is also anticipated to leave for the UK in the first week of June after completing a rigid quarantine in Mumbai.
NZ have won 7 games and lost four in the World Test Championship
The upcoming tour is going to be the last international tour of New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling. He recently announced that he would retire from competitive cricket after the World Test Championship final. However, the 35-year-old is looking forward to coaching stints after his retirement. BJ Watling, who recently became a father for the second time, stated that he decided to spend more time with his family. The 35-year-old is New Zealand's most successful Test wicket-keeper, with 257 dismissals, 249 catches, and 8 stumpings.
Additionally, Watling has also taken ten catches as a fielder. The Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman has represented New Zealand in 73 Tests and has scored 3773 runs at an average of 38.11. This also includes eight hundred and 19 fifties. His career-best score of 205 came against England in Mount Maunganui in November 2019. BJ Watling has also played for New Zealand in 28 ODIs and five T20Is.
The New Zealand tour of England begins on May 25. It will commence with a practice match. After that, the Kiwis are likely to play a 2-match Test series in England from June 2. The New Zealand cricket board has also named a 20-member squad. It will then be succeeded by two Tests at the Lord's and Edgbaston. Talking about the WTC, the Indian cricket team has won 12 matches and lost 4 games during the tournament, whereas one has ended in a draw.
On the other hand, the Kiwis have won 7 games and lost four during the tournament. However, both the teams topped the points table to make their way for the WTC final. A total of 9 teams were part of the ICC World Test Championship, which commenced in 2019. All the New Zealand players have taken their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.