Despite turning down the offer of a national contract, New Zealand’s speed spearhead Trent Boult is eligible for this year’s 50-overs World Cup in India, according to head coach Gary Stead, who made the announcement on Thursday. Boult is also certain to be picked for the tournament.
Boult, who opted out of his contract the previous year, was not featured in New Zealand’s revised list of contractual players on Thursday; instead, he had signed a “casual playing agreement,” according to New Zealand Cricket. Boult had opted out of his contract the previous year.
“He has indicated that he’s available for the World Cup,” Stead said to the press.
It is quite likely that he will be included in our team given that he is widely considered to be one of the top one-day international bowlers in the world.
Boult and Tim Southee have created one of the most frightening striking combinations in international cricket over the course of the past decade. They were instrumental in New Zealand’s run to the finals of the last two 50-overs World Cups as well as the first World Test Championship in 2021.
However, Boult was able to have himself freed from his contract in August of last year. He stated that he wanted to spend more time at home with his family and less time traveling, therefore the decision was made in his favor.
Boult was overlooked by selectors throughout New Zealand’s home summer, even when an injury crisis plagued the squad’s speed bowling supplies during the test series against England. While Boult was selected for an ODI series in Australia the previous year and the T20 World Cup that followed in the same nation, Boult was not included in either of these tournaments.
According to Stead, Boult’s availability for international duty outside of the World Cup is still up in the air and will to some degree be determined by the commitments he makes to T20 leagues.
The coach, however, did not close the door on the possibility of the left-handed bowler making a comeback to the test team. The left-armer has amassed 317 test wickets and more than 250 in limited overs internationals.
It’s simply that we’re still trying to figure it out… However, the exchanges that are taking place are constructive,” stated Stead.
“It’s just a matter of marrying up what works and what’readiness’ means from our perspective around test cricket, in particular.”
Spinner Ajaz Patel was removed from the Black Caps’ list of 20 contracted players after appearing in only two tests and not participating in any white ball internationals during the previous season. Boult, on the other hand, is still very much in New Zealand’s plans.
However, following a fruitful international season in which he took 24 wickets during the course of 16 white ball matches, Adam Milne was presented with one for the first time in the last five years.
Players that have been offered contracts to play in New Zealand in 2023-2024:
Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young. Also, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham.