Last Updated on 3 years by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: The future, now? Trent Boult to be released from NZ central contract | New Zealand set to release Boult from central contract
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is set to release fast-bowler Trent Boult from their central contract, ESPNCricinfo reports. The 33-year-old requested this in order to feature in more T20 tournaments across the world and also to spend additional time with his family.
Boult has held multiple discussions with NZC regarding this issue. NZC chief executive David White has told the aforementioned publication that the pacer is likely to play the upcoming T20 World Cup irrespective of this decision. He will also complete the national team’s ongoing tour to the Caribbean.
NZC set to release Boult from central contract
The Rajasthan Royals (RR) player will reportedly turn up in at least one of the two new upcoming T20 leagues in South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Boult apparently clarified to White that his appetite for touring has diminished as he wished to spend more time with his family from hereon.
“This has been a really tough decision for me and I’d like to thank NZC for their support in getting to this point. Playing cricket for my country was a childhood dream and I’m so proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve with the Black Caps over the past 12 years,” Boult’s official statement read.
He added, “Ultimately this decision is about my wife Gert and our three young boys. Family has always been the biggest motivator for me and I feel comfortable with putting it first and preparing ourselves for life after cricket.”
Will Trent Boult feature for New Zealand again?
Boult has not retired from international cricket per se. However, he has taken cognisance of the fact that NZC will prioritise selecting players who have a central contract with the board. White appreciated the bowler’s honesty and upfront attitude whilst bringing up this issue with the decision makers. He also lauded the immense feats that the 33-year-old has scaled over the course of his decade-long career with the Black Caps.
“We respect Trent’s position. He’s been completely honest and up-front with us about his reasoning and, while we’re sad to be losing him as a fully-contracted player, he leaves with our best wishes and our sincere thanks,” White opened up on the issue.
He further added, “Trent’s made a massive contribution to the Black Caps since his Test debut in late 2011 and is now considered one of the best multi-format cricketers in the world. We’re very proud of what he’s achieved.”
“I still have a big desire to represent my country and feel I have the skills to deliver at the international level. However, I respect the fact that not having a national contract will affect my chances of selection. Having said that, as a fast bowler I know I have a limited career span, and I feel the time is right to move into this next phase,” Boult explained the rationale behind his move.
Boult’s immense workload was visible from the fact that the fast-bowler turned up for a Test against England in Lord’s merely a couple of days after featuring for RR in the IPL finale on 29th May this year. However, he was subsequently rested from New Zealand’s further limited-overs tours in Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands respectively.
Having debuted in 2011, Boult played in 78 Tests, 93 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 44 T20Is for New Zealand. He is one of the only four Kiwis to have taken over 300 wickets (317) in Test cricket. Boult is the number one ranked ODI bowler according to the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings and was the second-highest wicket-taker (22) in the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
