IPL refugees touch down in NZ

Seifert anxious as he remains in India

The first group of New Zealand cricketers returning from India following the postponement of the Indian Premier League arrived in Auckland on Saturday night on a charter flight.

Black Caps Trent Boult, Jimmy Neesham, Finn Allen, Adam Milne and Scott Kuggeleijn all arrived home from the Covid-19 virus-ravaged country via Tokyo. They were joined by Mike Hesson, James Pamment and Shane Bond, who have coaching and management roles in the IPL.

The IPL was postponed last week following several positive Covid-19 tests after a player left the tournament bubble for an X-ray on a shoulder injury.

A second flight will see the return of Black Caps bowler Lockie Ferguson, IPL coaches Brendon Mccullum, Stephen Fleming and Kyle Mills, commentators Simon Doull and Scott Styris and umpire Chris Gaffaney.

The two flights have been, and will be, observing prescribed predeparture and in-flight protocols, including Covid-19 tests, social distancing, mask wearing and bestpractice hygiene, and were again assessed on arrival in Auckland.

Hesson, who is director of cricket operations at the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, shared a photo with the team’s Kiwi players as they left the city on their way out of India.

“Take care India, you are a wonderful country and we know you will keep fighting and working together to get through this. See you all again soon,” Hesson wrote on Instagram.

Black Caps batsman Tim Seifert meanwhile was forced to remain in India after he tested positive to Covid19 just hours before he was due to leave.

Seifert, who represented the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, failed both his pre-departure PCR tests and as a result has been taken into quarantine.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) issued a statement saying the keeperbatsman was experiencing moderate symptoms.

NZC Players’ Association boss

Heath Mills told Newstalk ZB that Seifert was currently in a very anxious state under what are understandably stressful circumstances.

NZC chief executive David White said Seifert had returned seven negative tests in the 10 days leading up to his pre-departure protocols, and was confident he would be receiving the best of care from his franchise.

“It’s really unfortunate for Tim and we’ll do everything for him that we can from this end, and hopefully he will be able to test negative, and be cleared and approved for discharge as soon as he’s well again.

“Since receiving the news, we’ve organised support for Tim and have also — via the players’ association, been in contact with his family to ensure they’re kept fully informed and updated on developments.”

Once Seifert has undergone treatment and the statutory period of isolation, plus has tested negative for Covid-19, he will be transferred back to New Zealand where he will undergo the mandatory 14-day period of managed isolation.

Seifert is not part of the squad contesting the World Test Championship final in June and White said he was confident both the New Zealand and Indian squads would safely make their way to Southampton for the June 18 start date.

However, there have been changes to the arrangements for those players bound for the Englandbased tour, with Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, and physiotherapist Tommy Simsek all transferring to the Maldives (rather than staying in New Delhi) ahead of travelling to England.

Black Caps trainer Chris Donaldson, who initially signalled his intention to return home on one of the New Zealand-bound charter flights before returning to England, has instead opted to remain with the Uk-bound players and is also in the Maldives.

The decision for this group to transfer to the Maldives was taken after advice that their entry into the UK, initially thought to take place around May 11, was likely to be delayed a further week.