Threat received by ECB investigated and deemed not credible: New Zealand Cricket

Earlier, ESPNCricinfo had reported that a member of the New Zealand team management was contacted and threatened that a bomb would be placed at the hotel where they stay, and that warned of an attempt to place a bomb on their plane when they travel back to New Zealand. It was also reported that the New Zealand squad had cancelled their training because of the threat, but the third ODI is likely to go ahead.

Responding to the report, the NZC said the while it was true that ECB received a threatening email, it did not indicate specifically anything about the White Ferns, adding, "it was treated seriously, investigated, and deemed not credible."

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"The White Ferns have now arrived in Leicester and, as a precaution, security around them has been boosted. Reports their training has been cancelled are false. They were not scheduled to train today as it was a travelling day. NZC will not be commenting further on the matter," the statement read.

This news came a few hours after England had pulled out of their tour of Pakistan - both men's and women's - stating concerns about travelling to the region and the players’ mental and physical well-being in the times of COVID-19 based restricted environments.

“The mental and physical well-being of our players and support staff remains our highest priority. This is even more critical given the times we are currently living in. We know there are increasing concerns about travelling to the region and believe that going ahead will add further pressure to a playing group who have already coped with a long period of operating in restricted Covid environments,” the statement further read.

England currently lead the five-match ODI series against New Zealand 2-0, with the third ODI scheduled to be played on Monday (September 21).