He is expected to arrive in England around the time of New Zealand’s second warm-up match against a County Select XI which starts on May 26 ahead of the first Test at Lord’s on June 2.
“He’s a bit disappointed he hasn’t got the runs he wanted during the IPL,” Stead said. “You don’t often see the great players often miss out perhaps as much as he has, but I think what we have to understand, coming back in to red-ball cricket, I think that will suit where he’s at with his game, his temperament as well.”
However, Boult and fellow Rajasthan Royals player Daryl Mitchell will continue to be involved into the play-offs. Depending on how deep Royals progress into the final week, Stead said a call would then be taken on availability.
“That’ll be something that’ll just play out in the next week or so,” he said.
Mitchell could be in the frame for a spot in the middle order if Henry Nicholls does not recover from the calf strain he picked up shortly before leaving New Zealand. Nicholls has returned to light training but won’t feature in the first warm-up match against Sussex.