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After two demoralising losses, New Zealand registered their first win of the T20 World Cup 2024. The Kane Williamson-led side beat Uganda by nine wickets with more than 14 overs to spare after bowling them out for a paltry 40. Trent Boult who bagged two wickets and conceded just seven runs from four overs in the post-match press conference confirmed that this will be his last T20 World Cup.
"Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup. That's all I have to say," Boult said.
The 34-year-old was disappointed as New Zealand are already out of the Super 8 race.
"Definitely (it was) not the start we wanted in the tournament. A hard one to take. Just gutted we're not going any further. But any time you get to represent the country, it's a proud moment," he said.
New Zealand who had opted out of the central contract in 2022 to focus on playing T20 franchise cricket around the world said there is tremendous talent in the dressing room.
"There's a lot of pride in the dressing room and in playing for the country, we've had some great records across however many years. Unfortunately we've been off the ball the last couple of weeks and that's what it takes to not qualify.
"It's unfortunate, but there's still some tremendous talent inside that dressing room and coming through the ranks in New Zealand cricket, so we're a proud nation and we'll continue to go that way," he said.
Need for balance between bat and ball
New Zealand's batting has been their weak link. Boult also reflected on the low scores in the tournament. So far, only Australia have managed to post a total in excess of 200. He feels that the pitches have not provided a balance between bat and ball.
"Yeah, it's been a challenge, there's no doubt about it. There's been some very low scores. I've played cricket all around the world recently and you come up with a lot of different conditions.
"It's always a challenge in adapting to conditions, but I think the balance has been far too much on the bowler's side, but they just haven't been very good wickets. It's been a good challenge for bat and ball but it's interesting to see in a world tournament," he added.
Last dance for few others as well?
Boult will make his last T20 World Cup appearance against Papua New Guinea on June 17. Alongside Boult, Tim Southee and Kane Williamson are likely to make their last appearance in the marquee event as well.
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