Follow UsLast August when Trent Boult was released from New Zealand’s central contract, there was a big doubt on his future in international cricket. Since then, the left-arm seamer has only appeared in the T20 World Cup Down Under and has not played a red-ball fixture for New Zealand in over a year.
With the ODI World Cup around the corner in India, the left-arm pacer, who is playing for Rajasthan Royals revealed his big desire to play in the upcoming tournament. Alongside that, he also insisted that there is a ‘bit of movement’ in the landscape of things at the moment, in regard to cricket.
"I've still got that big desire to play for New Zealand," Boult told ESPNCricinfo. "It is what it is: I've made my decision. I've been lucky enough to have a 13-year career in the Black Cap and hey, I've still got a big desire to play in the World Cup as well. We'll see how that unfolds: there's still a bit of movement in the landscape at the moment.
Alongside expressing his desire, Boult also opined that Kane Williamson’s injury is a shame. However, at the same time, he recalled a conversation with the former New Zealand skipper on the upcoming tournament.
"I remember after the 2019 final, I said to Kane [Williamson] that we've got to be there again, come 2023 in India. It's a shame with what's going on with his knee but he'll be working as hard as he can to try and get there. It's such a great tournament… One hundred percent, I've got that desire to be out there,” he added.
Over the last two 50-over World Cups, New Zealand have been a force to be reckoned with, making it to two finals in two editions. But on both occasions, they were outdone by Australia (2015) and England (2019). One of the overpowering themes on both occasions was the wealth of experience that the national side possessed.
"We're a great one-day side. We've got some players that have travelled to India and experienced the conditions a lot, and that's what it comes down to in World Cups. You can't buy experience, and you can't replace players that have toured for however many years across these conditions,” he added.
Back in February this year, the left-arm pacer was ignored by the national selectors for the Test series against England at home. But despite that, Boult has the ambitions of playing red-ball cricket in 2024.
"I've played nearly 80 Tests and had some pretty great times in the Black Cap, but they said that, if I chose to move away from that contract, my time in it would be limited. And I'm pretty sure they've never had anyone play Test cricket that isn't contracted - so that probably makes it hard as well."