After going through the yards for about an hour in the MCG nets, Trent Boult was feeling good about his chances to be back in the team for Boxing Day.
The New Zealand seamer, who missed the first Test due to a muscle strain on the side of his ribs, said his recovery was on track and was being monitored on a daily basis. The big 10-day gap between Tests has also worked out well in that regard, and Boult was looking forward to some overs under his belt in the upcoming two-day practice match against Victoria.
“It’s about being confident with the overs under my belt and having enough behind me,” Boult said. “Feel like I’m in that place and ticking the right boxes. It’s a day-by-day thing, it’s about getting through each session. As I’m tracking right now, touch wood it keeps going that way. I’m very eager to get out there.
“It’s nice to have seven or eight days. I’ll be using it the best I can. It will be nice to get some cricket but guess they’ll make a call as late as they can.”
While New Zealand missed their left-arm spearhead in Perth, they were further rocked by the injury to Lockie Ferguson on the first day itself, with the burden falling heavily on Neil Wagner and Tim Southee.
Boult is expected to slot right in for the injured Ferguson in Melbourne, where the visitors haven’t played a Test in over 30 years. It’s an occasion that Boult is prepared to embrace.
“I don’t really want to ignore it, I want to embrace it, appreciate that stage for what it is,” Boult said. “Test cricket is my favorite format and this is a stage a lot of people dream of being on so to get this opportunity in my career is definitely something I’m looking forward to. If I can tick all the right boxes with my body, I can’t wait.”
The second Test of the series, which Australia currently lead 1-0, gets underway in Melbourne on December 26.
