Blackcaps coach Gary Stead has cast fresh doubt on Trent Boult's availability for next month's test series against England.
It's already been confirmed Boult will miss the first test at Lord's - starting June 2, - after he opted to return home following the suspension of the Indian Premier League.
But Stead has now indicated that his star paceman could be underdone - and may also be in danger of missing the second match at Edgbaston.
Rather than travelling directly to the UK, the 31-year-old chose to return home via private jet to see his family, immediately entering managed isolation.
"There were options put in front of the guys and he felt for him as his mental health, the best thing he could do was to get home," says Stead.
Boult is a first choice pick in any conditions for the Blackcaps and Stead knows he'll be doing everything he can to be ready.
"It will depend on what's available at the hotel but I can Imagine Trent with a mattress bowling up against a wall," he says.
And it could be a similar story for captain Kane Williamson, who's in the Maldives with Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson and trainer Chris Donaldson.
"There's no training facilities in the Maldives," sStead notes. "Although I have seen a video of Chris Donaldson catching balls from our guys in a tree lined little area.
The unique circumstances could see Jacob Duffy go from spectator to potential debutant at Lord's.
"It would be pretty cool," says Duffy. "I went there last time just for a couple of days during the test and it was amazing."
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