Boult sustained a fracture to the “second-metacarpal of his right hand” during New Zealand’s first innings on Saturday, December 28, which will rule him out of the third and final Test in Sydney.

Boult was struck on his right glove by a Mitchell Starc short ball during his last-wicket partnership of 24 with Neil Wagner. Boult was the last man to fall, for a 13-ball 8, in New Zealand’s first innings, which ended on 148.

Trent Boult will return home to New Zealand following the 2nd Test after suffering a fracture to the second-metacarpal of his right hand while batting on day three.

He will require around four weeks of rehabilitation.

A replacement player will be confirmed in due course. pic.twitter.com/KSP66LTCub

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 28, 2019

Despite the blow [sustained on his non-bowling hand], Boult returned to share the new ball with Tim Southee, finishing with figures of 9-0-30-0 by close of play on the third day.

“An X-ray during the tea break confirmed the undisplaced fracture, which will require around four weeks of rehabilitation, meaning Boult will return home to New Zealand at the end of the Test,” a press release stated.

The injury brings to an end an injury-riddled tour that began with him missing the first Test due to a side injury.

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In Boult’s absence, Lockie Ferguson had made his Test debut in Perth, but ended up missing most of the Test due to a hamstring injury, following which a fit-again Boult replaced him in Melbourne. A replacement is set to be named “in due course”.

“It’s obviously gutting news for Trent, and also for our group to have someone like that ruled out with his injuries,” Boult’s teammate Tom Latham was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “We’ll have to wait and see who the replacement is over the next few days, but I’m sure whoever will come in will be up for the task.”