New Zealand Cricket agrees to release Trent Boult from the central contract owing to personal reasons
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has agreed to release Trent Boult from his central contract owing to personal reasons. The decision has been made after he requested to spend more time with his family. He wants to make himself available for T20 leagues with his international career now to be significantly reduced.
Boult, 33, had held several conversations in meetings with NZC prior to Wednesday’s announcement. The move has the possibility to have huge ramifications for New Zealand given the proliferation of T20 leagues popping up within the time period of the domestic season.
An announcement is expected soon about Boult’s involvement in either of the T20 leagues – the UAE or South Africa. But New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said that he was still “highly likely” to be selected for the T20 World Cup in Australia. He is expected to complete the ongoing tour of the West Indies.
New Zealand Cricket released a statement explaining that Boult clarified that his appetite for touring had diminished. Boult wants to make himself available to the family and spend more time with them.
“This has been a really tough decision for me. And I would like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support in getting to this point,” Boult said. “Playing cricket for my country was a childhood dream. And I am so proud of everything I have been able to achieve with the Black Caps over the past 12 years.”
“Ultimately this decision is about my wife Gert and our three young boys. The family has always been the biggest motivator for me. And I feel comfortable with putting it first and preparing ourselves for life after cricket.”
Boult did not retire from international cricket. But he might play a lot less for New Zealand. White confirmed that Boult knows the ramifications of his decision. New Zealand Cricket prioritizes contracted players.
“We have had several conversations. And I know Trent understands that, in terms of selection, New Zealand Cricket will continue to make a priority of those players with either central or domestic contracts,” White said.
Boult knows that his decision would affect his selection for New Zealand.
“I still have a big desire to represent my country and feel I have the skills to deliver at the international level,” he said. “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.”
White expressed his dismay at losing Boult as a centrally contracted player but understood his decision.
“We respect Trent’s position,” White said. “He has been completely honest and up-front with us about his reasoning. And, while we are sad to be losing him as a fully-contracted player, he leaves with our best wishes and our sincere thanks.”
“Trent has 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 are very proud of what he has achieved.”
Earlier this year, Boult went straight from the IPL to play in the Test series against England. He appeared in 16 games for Rajasthan Royals. This included the finals in Ahmedabad on May 29. He then went on to play the Test match at Lord’s just five days later on June 2. On that day, Boult bowled nearly 38 overs. After that, he was provided rest from New Zealand’s limited-overs tours around Europe.
Boult has been with New Zealand and represented the country 215 times across all three formats. He made his debut against Australia in the famous 2011 Test victory in Hobart. He belongs to the group of four men to have taken 300 Test wickets for New Zealand. He took 317 wickets at 27.49 with 10 five-wicket hauls and one ten-for. Boult has bagged 169 ODI wickets and took 62 wickets in T20Is. He is currently the No.1 in the ODI bowler rankings in the world. He is placed 11th on the Test rankings.