The former Black Caps bowler Shane Bond says Trent Boult was in need of a break and it was wise to leave him out of the upcoming T20 internationals against the West Indies.
Trent Boult Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Boult and Kane Williamson are being rested upon their return from the IPL to prepare for the Test series against the Windies.
Bond, who coached Boult to victory in the recent Indian Premier League, has been working with him in the nets while in quarantine in Christchurch.
Bond says he also needs some time away from competition.
"To fly out of here (quarantine) and go straight into games without seeing his family would have been a massive mistake."
"Part of the thinking of being here together in quaratine is to get a bit more volume in terms of overs under his belt as it's always a challenge in the IPL because it's stinking hot, you don't train as much and obviously you're playing a game that's four overs."
"So it gives him a bit of time to get some volume here and in the week or two before the Test series against the West Indies starts."
Bond says it was also important for a player to get time with his family.
"I think for his own sanity he needs to get home and spend a bit of time with his family before another busy summer."
Bond says Boult can also be rested from the T20's as he's a certainty for next year's T20 World Cup.
"He's a lay down misere in terms of the World Cup squad and I think you've got to use the games coming up (against the West Indies) to find out who may be the support act for him in and around that T20 World Cup team."
"There's no problem from my perspective giving those other guys like Kyle Jamieson an opportunity to see what they've got so that Gary (Stead) is really clear when he comes to pick his 15-16 for the World Cup that he's got all his bases covered."
Bond also has Lockie Ferguson in quarantine with him, who is in the T20 squad for the West Indies series and who will leave quaratine the day before the first game in Auckland.
"I thought he played pretty well in limited opportunities in the IPL, it's always nice to have someone bowl at the pace that he does in your squad especially to the tail and I'm looking forward to seeing him get an opprtunity in test cricket as well at some stage."