Ross Taylor sustained calf injury on first day of New Zealand's training camp; batsman diagnosed with grade one strain; the Black Caps play two Tests in England next month, as well as the final of the World Test Championship against India
Tuesday 4 May 2021 07:32, UK
New Zealand have suffered a scare ahead of next month's Test series against England after Ross Taylor picked up a calf injury.
The 37-year-old batsman sustained the injury in the nets on Monday, during the first day of New Zealand's training camp, and left the field to undergo a scan.
On Tuesday, New Zealand Cricket tweeted: "An MRI scan has confirmed a grade one muscle strain to Ross Taylor's left calf.
"He sustained the injury on the first day of camp and will stay with the team to help rehabilitate the injury.
"Taylor will then look to return to batting and running next week before flying to England."
New Zealand will have two three-day camps before leaving for England, where they will play a two-Test series, plus the final of the inaugural World Test Championship against India in Southampton.
Taylor, who missed the first two one-day internationals against Bangladesh in March with a hamstring injury, has gone 14 innings without a hundred.
However, New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said: "Ross has a great Test record behind him and we want Ross Taylor playing in our Test team."
New Zealand could already be without Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson and Mitchell Santner for at least one of the Tests against England due to their involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The IPL final will take place on May 30 and anyone arriving in the UK from India is required to isolate for 10 days.
The first Test between England and New Zealand is slated for June 2, with the second starting eight days later.
New Zealand have named an enlarged 20-man squad - including the uncapped pair of Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra - for the trip to England, which will be trimmed to 15 for the final against India.
All squad members have had their first Covid vaccine, and will receive their second before arriving in England.
