‘Pata tha yahi hoga’- Fans rapt as Trent Boult set to make return to New Zealand team for 2023 ODI World Cup

In news that will pep up the New Zealand team ahead of the World Cup in 2023, Trent Boult is said to make a comeback to the side. The left-arm is available for the Kiwis and will be selected despite him rejecting the offer to sign a national contract on Thursday. Boult was last seen in the Indian Premier League 2023 playing for Rajasthan Royals where he picked up 13 wickets in 10 matches.

Boult decided to opt out of the contract in 2022. The left-armer was not included in New Zealand’s recently released list of contracted players and instead he signed a ‘casual playing agreement New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said.  “He has indicated he’s available for the World Cup,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said as quoted by News 18. “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.” Stead added.

The conversations with Boult have been positive – Gary Stead

Tim Southee and Boult were one of the most menacing fast-bowling partnerships that helped New Zealand make it to the World Cup finals in 20215 and 2019. Boult was released on contractual duties for New Zealand after he said he wanted to devote more time for his family and cut down on travel. Stead said Boult’s international availability was still a point of discussion and it mainly depended on his franchise cricket commitments.

“We’re just still working through that … The conversations are positive, though,” Stead said. “It’s just marrying up what works and what ‘readiness’ means from our perspective around test cricket, in particular.” He added. The coach also went on to say that the door had not closed entirely on Boult and that there is still an opportunity to come back into the New Zealand Test squad. Boult has picked up 317 wickets in 28 Test matches.

Boult’s teammate Adam Milne has been offered a central contract by NZC after a gap of five years. While Boult is still in the fray for New Zealand. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel has been left out of the contract list which featured 20 contracted players. Patel featured in two tests and no white ball games last season.

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