Black Caps sweating on Boult fitness

New Zealand will be sweating on the fitness of swing king Trent Boult as they aim win their first Test series in Australia in 34 years.

Boult is an unlikely starter in New Zealand's second Test against England in Hamilton after suffering a rib injury on the final day of the Black Caps' comprehensive win at Mount Maunganui.

But in less than three weeks, the Kiwis travel across the Tasman Sea for the first of three Domain Tests against Australia in Perth in what is a day-night contest at Perth Stadium.

Boult went for scans on his sore ribs on Tuesday, with results to be released tomorrow, and the Black Caps will be crossing everything hoping the left-armer is fit for the pink-ball series-opener in Australia.

In the brief history of day-night Tests, which dates back to the inaugural match in 2015 between Australia and New Zealand in Adelaide, Boult has the best strike-rate with the pink ball of any bowler, taking a wicket every 26.5 deliveries.

The 30-year-old has 16 wickets in two Tests; 7-101 against Australia four years ago in the historic clash over three days, and then 9-99 against England at Eden Park in March last year.

Boult is New Zealand's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker with 255 wickets in 65 matches, just one wicket behind long-time new-ball partner Tim Southee.

Boult's absence would also prevent a mouth-watering duel between two lethal left-arm bowlers with the pink ball.

Mitch Starc is the leading wicket-taker in day-night Tests having captured 26 wickets at 23 in five matches, all in Australia.

His favourite twilight venue is Adelaide Oval, where he has taken 16 wickets at 22.75 in three matches.

Fortunately for Starc, the second Domain Test against Pakistan in Adelaide, starting Friday, is a day-night Test and he enters having started the Test summer in fine form, picking up 7-125 in the first Test in Brisbane and perhaps most encouragingly, swinging the new red Kookaburra ball.

Seeing Starc and Boult bend the pink ball around corners would add another layer to an intriguing Test series between the trans-Tasman rivals, and New Zealand coach Gary Stead is conscious of the huge Test summer ahead for his team.

"It's always a worry. You want the best for your players all the time and you don't like seeing people sit out injured," Stead said.

"Trent's a pretty resilient character but I guess there are concerns about what will ultimately show up. It's a new injury and he's very sore."

New Zealand have not won a Test series in Australia since 1985 when Sir Richard Hadlee ripped apart the hosts with 33 wickets in the 2-1 series victory.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson also failed to finish the first Test against England with a back issue, but the class batsman played down the injury and is expected to play in Hamilton.