New Zealand pacer Trent Boult dropped a bombshell on Wednesday, August 10 morning after he was released from the central contract by NZC on his request. Boult said that it was a tough decision but thanked New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the support as he put his family, his wife and three kids first.
Naturally, Boult’s participation for the national team will reduced considerably as the players with the central and domestic contracts will be preferred but that has put the Kiwi pacer’s participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in doubt.
Boult, who played an important role in New Zealand’s run to the final last year, played a three-match Test series against England immediately after the IPL 2022, where he plied his trade for Rajasthan Royals in 16 games.
Speaking about his future participation for New Zealand, NZC CEO David White said that he hopes Boult will be part of the T20 World Cup as their preparation for the tournament has been keeping him in mind and mentioned that the 33-year-old’s decision is likely to see him in global events more rather than the bilaterals.
“I’d imagine that he will be selected for the T20 World Cup in Australia, because he’s been a big part of our plans and preparation for that. He knows he will be playing a significantly less amount of international cricket.
“We’ve said to him that, in the future, priority for selection will be given to centrally contracted Black Caps and domestic players. Although, we will, on a case-by-case basis, consider him.
“I think it’s fair to say there’s more likelihood of him participating in global events than bilateral cricket. He’s just found it very demanding with a young family and wife he wants to spend more time with,” White told stuff.co.nz.
Speaking about the decision Boult said, being in the twilight of his career, he felt comfortable putting his family first and it was beginning of their preparation for life after cricket.
“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,” he said.
White, on the other hand, said that they tried their best to manage his workload but COVID and isolation have played a huge part in his decision. “We’ve tried to manage his workload, but he’s found it increasingly difficult. But I also think the combination of Covid and managed isolation over the last few years has had an impact as well. I know that Trent’s found that difficult.”
Boult will play the West Indies series as scheduled.
