New Zealand’s frontline seamers Trent Boult and Tim Southee will have their workloads managed through the limited-overs portion of their series against Bangladesh to ensure they are fresh for the rest of the international programme, said coach Mike Hesson.
New Zealand begins a three-match one-day series against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Monday before they play three T20Is ahead of two Tests.
Boult will not play the final one-day match in Nelson on December 31 and miss at least the first T20 match in Napier on January 3, while Southee will miss the entire T20 series ahead of the first Test in Wellington that starts on January 12.
“It’s always a balancing act with guys that play all three forms, especially the bowlers,” Hesson told reporters in Christchurch on Saturday. “We’ll give them a chance to get their loads up so they’re ready to go for the Test match.”
Both played domestic limited overs cricket upon New Zealand’s return from Australia, where they were thumped 3-0 in their Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against Steve Smith’s side.
Most of the team had returned to their domestic sides since, with Boult, Southee and spinner Mitchell Santner all playing on Friday in Hamilton before joining the national side.
Tom Latham, Matt Henry, Neil Broom and Jimmy Neesham all played for their respective teams in a T20 match in Christchurch on Friday.
“I think it’s been good the guys have had 10-12 days home playing some domestic cricket,” Hesson said. “They’re getting some confidence back.”
Captain Kane Williamson, however, had not played any cricket at all with the coach restricting all contact with the 26-year-old. “It’s been nice to be able to give him a break, it’s a tough ask playing all three forms of the game and you’re captain as well. I’ve left him alone to be fair to enjoy his break rather than getting annoying phone calls from me all the time.”
New Zealand host Australia for three one-day matches after the Bangladesh series before South Africa arrive for a full tour that includes a T20I, five one-day matches and three Tests.
