Newzealand Cricket board has agreed with Trent Boult to release the cricketer from the contract today. NZC has relieved Boult from the contract so that he can spend more time with his family. While also making himself available for domestic leagues around the world.
Trent Boult who played IPL this year from Rajasthan Royals went straight to the tour of England. There is played the first test match just 5 days after his IPL final. Later he was rested for the limited overs tour. The news comes as Boult is still the world’s number 1 ODI bowler and ranked 11th in the Test rankings.
Trent Boult has played for NZL 215 times since his debut against Australia in the Test victory at Hobart. He is one of four men to have taken more than 300 test wickets for New Zealand. He has taken 317, 169, and 62 wickets in Test, ODIs, and T20Is respectively.
Trent Boult may play in the new UAE T20 league
Trent Boult will continue his tour of the West Indies with the NZL squad. However, the news of his contract release comes at a time when a new T20 league in the UAE is trying to contract big names. An announcement about Boult’s involvement in the league is expected soon.
NZC chief executive David White said to ESPNcricinfo that Trent Boult’s participation in this year’s T20 world cup was still very likely. But Boult told David that his appetite for the tour has diminished and that he wishes to spend more time with his family.
According to the statement released by the NZC board, Boult will now have a significantly reduced role with the team in his final years in the game. He will still be eligible for selection if and when available.
Statement from NZC chief executive Ben White
Ben White said, “We respect Trent’s position, he’s been completely honest and up-front with us about his reasoning and, while we’re sad to be losing him as a fully-contracted player, he leaves with our best wishes and our sincere thanks”.
White was confident that Boult understood what this decision meant for this international playing future.
Ben white further added, “Trent’s made a massive contribution to the BLACKCAPS since his Test debut in late 2011 and is now considered one of the best multi-format cricketers in the world. We’re very proud of what he’s achieved.”
Boult said it had been a difficult call to make.
“This has been a really tough decision for me and I’d like to thank NZC for their support in getting to this point,” he said.
Boult added that ultimately this decision is about his wife Gert and their three young boys. The family has always been the biggest motivator for him and he feels comfortable with putting it first and preparing themselves for “life after cricket.”
He said he understood the move would diminish his chances of playing for the BLACKCAPS.
“I still have a big desire to represent my country and feel I have the skills to deliver at the international level. However, I respect the fact that not having a national contract will affect my chances of selection.”
Boult said that as a fast bowler he knows he has a limited career span. He feels the time is right to move into this next phase.
