New Zealand head coach Gary Stead has hinted that fast bowler Trent Boult might play in the T20 World Cup 2024, set to be jointly hosted by the Caribbean islands and the United States of America. Stead’s comments come right ahead of the 3-match T20I series against Australia that will begin from February 21.
“I was texting with him last [Saturday] night actually,” Stead said. “Trent and I are going to have a conversation this week just around the future and what that looks like for him and where it fits for us as well. We’re still to have those, but we will connect this week and will work out. He could be available but I’m not 100% sure.
Boult refused New Zealand’s central contract back in 2022 and since then has been freelancing with the side. Boult played in the T20 World Cup 2022 and then returned to play for the national team right ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The bowler did not show any signs of rustiness but was not able to have a massive impact due to the lack of swing and seam in slow Indian conditions.
Boult will also not be playing in the Test series against South Africa. Stead commented on the same and mentioned that a Test comeback would be difficult for Boult without matches under his belt.
“Again I will have a conversation with Trent but at the moment, I think probably not. It’s very hard to see how you come from a T20 diet back into Test consideration with no cricket before that,” Stead said.
New Zealand have done well in the recent ICC competitions. The team reached the semi-finals of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cups. The New Zealand side had a spirited campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup as well. New Zealand were defeated in the semi-final of the tournament in an electric encounter vs India in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.
Since the semi-final loss, Boult has not played for New Zealand.
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