New Zealand head coach Gary Stead indicated that veteran fast bowler Trent Boult may return to the New Zealand T20 side and play in the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be hosted jointly by the West Indies and the United States of America. The 33-year-old is currently playing for Mumbai Emirates in ILT20.
Trent Boult declined New Zealand’s central contract in 2022. The Left-arm pacer played in the T20 World Cup in 2022 and returned to the national team for the ODI World Cup in 2023. The bowler had no signs of rust but was unable to make an impression due to a lack of swing and seam in sluggish Indian conditions.
Speaking to the media before the three-match T20 series against Australia, Gary Stead discussed his talk with Trent Boult about his future with the New Zealand team and his role in the side going forward, indicating that he could be eligible for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“I was texting with him last [Saturday] night actually, Trent and I are going to have a conversation this week just around the future and what that looks like for him and where it fits for us as well. We’re still to have those, but we will connect this week and will work out. He could be available but I’m not 100% sure,” Gary Stead said.
Boult declined a central contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in August 2022 to spend more time with his family and be ready to play in additional T20 tournaments. The left-arm pacer played in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia last year and would be keen on returning to the team for the marquee event.
At The Moment, I Think Probably Not – Gary Stead On Trent Boult’s Comeback In Test Cricket
Speaking on Trent Boult’s future with the Test team, Gary Stead stated that Trent Boult’s Test comeback would be difficult without domestic matches under his belt.
“Again I will have a conversation with Trent but at the moment, I think probably not. It’s very hard to see how you come from a T20 diet back into Test consideration with no cricket before that,” Gary Stead added.
Trent Boult was an important member of New Zealand’s squad in the 2015 and 2019 ODI World Cup as he bowled brilliantly well for the Blackcaps with the new ball. His performance with the ball helped the Kiwis make back-to-back appearances in the finals and had a decent role for the Blackcaps in the recently concluded ODI World Cup.
