Left-arm pacer Trent Boult was considered a threat going into the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 clash against India at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. But Boult was taken to the cleaners by Indian skipper Rohit Sharma early on. He ended up conceding 86 runs in a high-scoring encounter and the wicket of Shreyas Iyer was just a consolation. In the aftermath of New Zealand’s semifinal exit, head coach Gary Stead is hopeful but uncertain about Boult's future next year as he is not centrally contracted.
Boult has already made himself unavailable for the two-match test series in Bangladesh which is a part of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. Boult will be busy playing in Abu Dhabi T10 League for Deccan Gladiators during this period It will be followed by ILT20 where he will represent MI Emirates.
"At this stage, Trent and I still need to have a conversation," Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo. "He's unavailable for the Bangladesh Test series. He's got other commitments in a T10 league, and then the UAE T20 league as well. I think that eats right into the February time period.
"So, it looks unlikely that Trent will play too much in our home summer. He may be available for the T20s against Australia. I still need to have that conversation with him."
New Zealand will play three T20Is against Australia at home in February 2024 ahead of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. After the IPL, T20 World Cup 2024 will take place in the Caribbean and the USA. Stead is unsure but wants Boult to return for the marquee event.
"I think there's every chance [we will see him again] provided his desire is there to keep playing," Stead said. "I think he's still a world class bowler."
The 34-year-old picked up 14 wickets in World Cup 2023. He has had a good record in T20 World Cups as well. He made his T20 World Cup debut in 2014. With 25 wickets from 14 games and an economy rate of 6.57, he is the joint-highest wicket-taker for the Kiwis in the tournament's history.
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