New Zealand Cricket Team head coach Gary Stead confirmed on Thursday, that their star new ball pacer Trent Boult will be available to play the ODI World Cup later this year in India. The left-arm pacer opted out of the Kiwis’ central contract last year to play his trade in franchise leagues around the globe and spend some time with his family.
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 grand final and is the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in World Cup with 39 wickets in 19 games so far.
Speaking on Stuff. co.nz, Gary Stead said that Trent Boult will available for the World Cup, later this year in India and hailed him as one of the best ODI bowlers in the world and reckons that he would be part of the squad barring any injury concerns to him for the next four months
“He has indicated he’s available for the World Cup, He’s one of the best ODI bowlers in the world so barring injury, I think it’s highly likely he would be part of our squad,” Gary Stead said.
“We’re just still working through that. The conversations are positive, though, It’s just marrying up what works and what ‘readiness’ means from our perspective around test cricket, in particular.”
Earlier, Trent Boult revealed that he is desperate to play the ODI World Cup in India, as it is one of the biggest events in World Cricket for New Zealand, and reckons that he wants to give 100 per cent for his team in forthcoming events.
“Of course, (I am) desperate to play in the ODI World Cup – it is one of the biggest events on the calendar. Currently, my sole focus is on the IPL here at the moment and if things work out (well) I am 100 per cent I want to be there (in the World Cup),” Trent Boult said.
The left-arm pacer last featured in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia last year but has not played for the Black Caps since their semi-final exit against Pakistan. Boult has picked up 187 wickets in 99 ODIs at 23.97 with the best figures being 7/34 against the West Indies in 2017.
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