New Zealand’s pace spearhead Trent Boult is likely to miss the upcoming Test series against England so that he will be fresh and ready to play in the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship final against India. However, before the summit clash, New Zealand will play against England in a two-match Test series as well.

Meanwhile, the pacer has been on leave in New Zealand after returning home after the coronavirus-enforced postponement of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League earlier in May. And, that’s why he will miss the first Test at Lord’s.

However, Trent Boult will reach the UK on Friday and the priority for the team would be to make sure he is ready to take on India in the World Test Championship final at Southampton from June 18, instead of having him play the second Test with England the week before as well.

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“I don’t think you’ll see Trent in the two Test matches here,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead told reporters on Monday.

“He arrives on Friday, our planning and what we’re looking at doing with Trent is having him ready for the World Test Championship final. He’s been home, he has had a week of bowling over there which has been great after the fair amount of isolation time at the end of the IPL,” he added.

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“But our view with Trent right now is it’s unlikely that he will play the Test at Edgbaston. And he’s more likely to be just available for the one-off Test,” he concluded.

Notably, India will play a five-match Test series against England after the much-awaited WTC Final as well. And, after that, the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League will resume in September-October.