New Zealand fast bowler Trent Boult’s return to the national side has ignited hope and hunger for the Kiwis’ maiden Cricket World Cup triumph in 2023. Boult, who gave up his central contract last year, expressed his eagerness to represent his country and play a pivotal role in helping New Zealand lift the coveted trophy in India.
Boult last played an ODI in September 2022 against Australia and requested to be released from his central contract to focus on playing franchise T20 cricket and spending time with his family. However, his return to the national side for the upcoming ODI series against England has reignited his desire to win the World Cup. Boult has previously come close to lifting the trophy in the 2015 and 2019 editions but lost to Australia and England, respectively.
Reflecting on his decision to give up his central contract, Boult shared that it was not an easy choice to leave the New Zealand cricket setup. However, he wanted to make the most of his remaining years as a bowler and gain valuable experiences playing in various franchise cricket tournaments. Now, he is focused on representing his country and hopes to achieve something special alongside his teammates in the upcoming months.
Boult has always harbored the goal of working towards an ODI World Cup victory. He has fond memories of previous campaigns and is eager to contribute significantly to the team’s success. The experienced bowler is aiming to lift the trophy and fulfill the dream that came tantalizingly close four years ago. His determination is fueled by his admiration for the prestige and significance of the World Cup in cricket.
After a successful stint with MI New York in the Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA, where his team emerged as champions and Boult finished as the leading wicket-taker, he is now eager to rejoin the Kiwi squad. Prior to his time in the MLC, Boult played for the Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and participated in the inaugural International League T20 (ILT20), organized by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Cricket. Throughout his extensive franchise cricket commitments, Boult missed 35 international games, emphasizing the importance of making the most of his career.
Boult acknowledges the significant role that international cricket plays in shaping players’ careers, despite the growing prominence of franchise cricket around the world. While franchise cricket provides valuable opportunities, it also brings intense competition, where players are always just a few performances away from losing their place. Boult believes that international cricket remains the foundation for earning the right to participate in lucrative franchise tournaments.
New Zealand is scheduled to play four ODIs against England in September, followed by a series against Bangladesh before heading to the ICC Cricket World Cup in India. Boult holds the record as New Zealand’s highest wicket-taker in ODI World Cups with 39 scalps across two editions. He is expected to play a crucial role as one of the frontline bowlers alongside Tim Southee.
In addition to Boult, New Zealand also lost all-rounder James Neesham to franchise cricket after he declined a central contract. However, he remains part of the World Cup plans, although he will miss the England series due to the birth of his first child.
As Boult prepares to don the black jersey once again, he emphasizes the value he places on representing his country and the pinnacle that the World Cup represents in his eyes. His hunger for success and the Kiwis’ determination to claim their maiden World Cup triumph in 2023 make them a team to watch out for.
With a combination of experienced players and promising talents, New Zealand hopes to make a strong statement in the upcoming ODI series and build momentum leading up to the World Cup. As the date approaches, Boult’s return has sparked excitement and raised expectations, as cricket fans eagerly anticipate what could be a historic moment for New Zealand cricket.
