McClenaghan head blow sickening: Boult

Trent Boult says the sight of New Zealand teammate Mitchell McClenaghan collapsing on the pitch was stomach churning, admitting the death of Phil Hughes continues to resonate.

McClenaghan suffered a fracture above the eyebrow when a ball snuck between his grill and visor while batting during the first one-day international against Pakistan in Wellington on Monday.

The 29-year-old retired hurt and didn't bowl during the second innings of the Black Caps' 70-run win. He will miss the second game in Napier on Thursday and could also miss the final game in Auckland on Sunday, depending on the outcome of minor surgery on Friday.

Boult says it was hard not to think of former Australian opening batsman Hughes after watching fellow paceman McClenaghan fall to the Basin Reserve turf.

Hughes was killed after being struck on the head by a bouncer in a Sheffield Shield game in Sydney 14 months ago.

"It's pretty tragic, what has happened over the last wee while," Boult said.

"It still churns your stomach a little bit to see stuff like that happen and it's hard to talk about, to be honest.

"It's never a nice sight to see - one of your teammates down on the ground. One snuck through his grill and got him pretty good."

Boult revealed that McClenaghan chose to bat with an older-style helmet which features a bigger gap in front of the eyes than recently-developed headwear.

He praised helmet manufacturers for taking player safety seriously and upgrading their products.

However, the New Zealand No.11 believes he will never feel comfortable against opposition pacemen who are out to ruffle feathers.

"Short-pitched bowling is something I do fear, to be honest," he said.