Taylor

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Veteran New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor had to leave the first training session before England tour with a calf strain. After an MRI scan, it has been confirmed that it was a grade one strain. Before leaving the training, the 37-year-old faced six deliveries at High-Performance Centre in Lincoln. He faced similar discomfort earlier in March due to which he was sidelined for the two One Day Internationals against Bangladesh. However, the Kiwi veteran is determined to be fit before the World Test Championship final with his national coach also hopeful of his recovery.

Fingers crossed everything is good: Gary Stead

New Zealand coach Gary Stead admitted any injuries this close to a tour were a concern. "You are always worried when any injuries happen but someone of Ross's standing and calibre as a Test player you always have a little bit of a concern," he told reporters on Monday.

"Fingers crossed everything is good and we still have time on our side, but we'll just have to wait and see what the medical team say," he added.

"We've got two open wickets, the ground staff has done an amazing job in getting the facilities up pretty close to what I think English conditions would be like then we have the marquee as well," Stead said.

"We are still a month away from playing England so there's still four weeks of good, solid preparation so today is the start of that for us."

England-New Zealand Test series to start on June 2

New Zealand has set up a 3 days practice session before departing for the two-match England Test Series starting June 2. And the final of the maiden World Test Championship against India in Southampton on June 18.

The Kiwis have another obstacle, as there is no new update of the availability of their IPL contracted players-skipper Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner and Kyle Jamieson- with the tournament now suspended. Recently New Zealand announced a squad of 20 players, which would be cut back to 15 before the WTC final.