Cricket

Trent Boult, the left-arm paceman, has announced his retirement from international cricket after New Zealand's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign ended with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea. Boult's 13-year international career came to an end in the anticlimactic setting of a meaningless T20 World Cup match."It feels a little bit weird, a few emotions obviously the last couple of days," said Boult. When asked if the game represented his final New Zealand appearance, Boult hinted at uncertainty: "I haven't thought much further than this, I'm in no position to comment right now. I enjoyed being out there one last time."New Zealand's hopes of qualifying for the second-round Super Eights were dashed by defeats to Afghanistan and tournament co-hosts the West Indies earlier in Group C. Papua New Guinea had also been eliminated before the match in front of a sparse crowd at the Brian Lara Stadium.Boult took two wickets for 14 runs as PNG were skittled out for 78 in an innings where fellow quick Lockie Ferguson finished with a remarkable 3-0 from his maximum four overs. "Gutted to not go any further, but I'm very proud of what I've done with the Black Caps and sad it's my last day with New Zealand," said Boult.The 34-year-old has been infrequently selected for international duty since being released from his New Zealand central contract in August 2022, allowing him to play in more domestic T20 leagues abroad. The swing bowler did feature in New Zealand's 50-over World Cup campaign last year, where they reached the semi-finals only to suffer a 70-run defeat by tournament hosts India at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Boult's tally of 317 wickets in 78 Tests is the fourth highest by any New Zealand bowler. Longstanding new-ball colleague Tim Southee (380 Test wickets) is second, behind Richard Hadlee (431 wickets). "I've shared a dressing room with Tim Southee for well over a dozen years," said Boult, with the pair both involved when New Zealand beat India in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final. "It's a partnership I've enjoyed forming, and we're very good friends off the field."Boult's last Test was against England at Headingley nearly two years ago, with the World Cup semi-final the most recent of 114 one-day internationals that yielded 211 wickets in total. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson paid tribute to Boult by saying he had been a "great servant of the game" who was "consistent in all formats". The star batsman added: "It'll be sad to see him go, it's been quite special being with him throughout his career. "He's got such an attitude for getting better. He trains very hard, he's as fit as he's ever been. He knows how he wants to operate in all formats. He sticks his chest out and performs well for his country." "He's made a fantastic contribution to our game and he's created a space for new players to come in and meet the standard that he's set."

New Zealand's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean has sparked questions about the team's future direction. The Black Caps, who have consistently reached the semi-finals in recent editions, were eliminated after unexpected losses to Afghanistan and the West Indies.Coach Gary Stead acknowledged the need for reflection and potential changes to the squad. Veteran seamer Trent Boult has already announced his retirement from T20 internationals, and further adjustments may be necessary to revitalize the team's performance.Stead's contract extends until the end of the current World Test Championship cycle in 2025, but he may consider relinquishing his responsibilities in the white-ball formats. New Zealand has enjoyed success under Stead and captain Kane Williamson, winning the inaugural World Test Championship in 2021 and reaching the T20 World Cup final in 2021.However, a long-sought-after white-ball trophy continues to elude the Black Caps, leading to questions about the leadership's ability to secure one. Williamson, who recently relinquished the Test captaincy, may decide to step down from white-ball leadership or drop a format to extend his playing career.The team's older players, including Southee and Boult, may opt for a reduced workload or pursue franchise cricket. New Zealand faces the challenge of reconstructing a competitive T20 squad for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Sri Lanka and India.

Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand's cricket team, has expressed uncertainty about his future in the T20I format after the team's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup. Williamson, who will turn 34 in August, has been a cornerstone of New Zealand's successful white-ball team for over a decade, leading them to at least the semi-finals in seven of the ten consecutive World Cups he has played in across both 20- and 50-over formats since 2011.During this period, New Zealand has reached three finals, with Williamson's notable contributions including a Player-of-the-Tournament performance in England in 2019 and an impressive 85 runs off 48 balls in the defeat to Australia in Dubai in 2021. However, with his long-time teammate Trent Boult having already announced that this tournament would be his last T20 World Cup, Williamson acknowledges that a transition may be on the horizon.When asked if he would still be involved in New Zealand's T20I setup in 2026, Williamson responded, "Oh, I don't know. There's a bit of time between now and then, so it's about regrouping as a side. We've got red-ball cricket over the next year basically, so it's back into some other international formats, and we'll see where things land."New Zealand's most significant victory in recent years came in the Test format in 2021, when Williamson led the team to victory over India in the World Test Championship final in Southampton. The two teams are set to face off again in a Test rematch in India later this year, with New Zealand also scheduled for a three-match home series against England in December and a four-match tour of Australia in 2026-27.These upcoming fixtures could take precedence for Williamson, who played his 100th Test earlier this year alongside another long-standing teammate, Tim Southee. Williamson is on the cusp of becoming the first New Zealand batter to reach 10,000 Test runs, currently sitting at 8743 runs.Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes that Williamson will be given the time he needs to determine his next move, but his priorities may have shifted as he enters the twilight of his illustrious career. "It hasn't really been questioned over here, due to his genius with the bat, but he has to make a decision now after a disappointing World Cup," Fleming said. "What does his future hold? Is it all three formats, is it franchise cricket, is it family time? He will be getting to that point where he starts making decisions that have other influences, whereas before it was cricket and cricket only."Regarding the recent T20 World Cup campaign, Williamson admitted that New Zealand had been slow to adapt to the challenges they faced in the Caribbean, where Afghanistan and the West Indies proved to be formidable opponents in a competitive Group C. "It took a long time to start and then, in a matter of days, we were not in contention, which was frustrating," Williamson said. "We played against a couple of very strong sides who are very well equipped in these conditions and unfortunately that was the difference in our first two games."Despite the disappointment, Williamson believes there are valuable lessons to be learned for the players who will return to the Caribbean in the future. "All in all it's frustrating, but there'll be learnings for the players that come back to this part of the world. These conditions have been somewhat challenging, so they are some good experiences to have going forward."

New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign has come to an abrupt end after a disappointing start to the tournament. Despite their proud cricketing history, the Kiwis have been unable to replicate their usual consistency in this edition of the World Cup.The team's early exit has been attributed to a sluggish start, with a couple of defeats in the opening matches proving costly. New Zealand's pride and determination were evident in the dressing room, but it was not enough to overcome their recent poor form.However, the team remains optimistic about the future, recognizing the immense talent within the squad and the promising players coming through the ranks. New Zealand's cricketing legacy is a source of pride for the nation, and the team is confident that it will continue to thrive in the years to come.In the upcoming match against Papua New Guinea, New Zealand will be looking to end their World Cup campaign on a positive note. The game holds special significance for Trent Boult, who has announced that this will be his last T20 World Cup for the country. The Kane Williamson-led side will be motivated to give their best in honor of Boult's contribution to New Zealand cricket.Despite their early exit, New Zealand remains a formidable cricketing nation. The team's pride and determination will serve as a foundation for future success, and they will undoubtedly be back stronger in the next edition of the T20 World Cup.

Trent Boult, the legendary New Zealand fast bowler, has announced his retirement from T20 World Cups, marking a significant moment in the team's history. With 32 wickets in 17 T20 World Cup matches, Boult has been a key contributor to New Zealand's success in the tournament.Boult's decision to step away from T20 World Cups raises questions about the future of an aging New Zealand team. Only three players in the current squad will be under 30 by the time they return home. This raises concerns about a potential transition period for the team, especially after their disappointing exit from the Super Eight stage of this tournament.Boult and Tim Southee have been instrumental in New Zealand's success in recent years, but their partnership may be coming to an end. Boult expressed his fondness for their partnership, saying, "I look at the partnership with Tim with very fond memories. We bowled a lot of overs together. I know the partnership very well, and obviously he's a very good friend on and off the ground."New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has downplayed the notion that this tournament marks the end of a generation, but the team will undoubtedly need to find a replacement for Boult, one of their greatest-ever fast bowlers.Boult's retirement from T20 World Cups is a significant moment for New Zealand cricket. It signals the end of an era and raises questions about the team's future. As the team looks to rebuild, they will need to find a way to replace Boult's experience and skill.

Sophia Dunkley has earned a recall to England's ODI squad for the upcoming home series against New Zealand, marking a significant turnaround after losing her place in the top order during the winter tour of New Zealand.Dunkley's return to the 50-over setup is a testament to her impressive performances for South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, where she is the competition's leading run-scorer with 293 runs at an average of 97.66 and a strike rate of 83.00. She has also scored two half-centuries in the Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 competition.England Women's head coach Jon Lewis praised Dunkley's recent form, saying, "Her performance across the domestic game has been outstanding and she earned the right to be back in this squad through performance."Dunkley's recall comes after a challenging period where she failed to reach double figures in three T20I and one ODI innings in New Zealand. However, Lewis had challenged her to rediscover her best cricket and she has responded with a string of strong performances.Despite facing competition from the likes of Tammy Beaumont, Maia Bouchier, Danni Wyatt, and Alice Capsey, Dunkley will be eager to regain a regular berth in the upper order. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt was the only stand-out performer in the ODIs against Pakistan, which England won 2-0.England's seam attack will be led by Kate Cross and Lauren Bell, with exciting quick Lauren Filer also included. The spin department will feature Sophie Ecclestone, Sarah Glenn, and Charlie Dean.During their tour of New Zealand earlier this year, England won the T20I series 4-1 and the ODIs 2-1. England are yet to name their T20I squad for a five-match series with New Zealand immediately after the ODIs.

Former New Zealand and Mumbai Indians fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan has strongly refuted accusations from a Pakistani journalist that the New Zealand team prioritized money over national duty by choosing to participate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) instead of touring Pakistan.The accusations arose after New Zealand's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup, where they suffered back-to-back losses against Afghanistan and hosts West Indies, putting them on the brink of elimination. Pakistani journalist Imran Siddiqui took to social media to criticize New Zealand's decision to send a weakened team to Pakistan, claiming that it had hindered their preparations for the World Cup.McClenaghan, known for his outspoken nature, responded with a scathing reply, highlighting Pakistan's own poor form in the tournament. He pointed out that Pakistan had lost to New Zealand's "C side," as well as Ireland and the USA, in recent matches."Very poor take. You (Pakistan) lost games to our C side, Ireland, and the USA," McClenaghan tweeted.Pakistan has indeed struggled in the T20 World Cup, losing to both the USA and India. In the lead-up to the tournament, they had drawn a T20I series against a New Zealand side without their key players. McClenaghan emphasized this fact, suggesting that Pakistan's own lack of preparation was a more significant factor in their poor performance.The former Kiwi pacer also agreed with a comment that Sherfane Rutherford, who has not played a single game for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024, has performed well for the West Indies in the World Cup. This further supports the argument that IPL participation is not necessarily detrimental to international performance.Several New Zealand stars, including Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, and captain Kane Williamson, had played in IPL 2024. However, McClenaghan's response suggests that their absence from the Pakistan tour was not a major factor in New Zealand's struggles in the World Cup.The Black Caps have been disappointing in the tournament, failing to chase down 150 against West Indies and getting bowled out for 75 by Afghanistan. They are now virtually out of contention with two games still to play.

Craig McMillan, the former New Zealand batter, has been appointed as the assistant coach of the women's team for the next two years. McMillan, who played 260 internationals between 1997 and 2007, will work alongside head coach Ben Sawyer starting with the upcoming tour of England later this month.McMillan had previously served as New Zealand's batting coach between 2014 and 2019, a period that saw the team reach consecutive ODI World Cup finals. He had also featured as a fielding coach for Punjab Kings in the IPL in 2018. McMillan's most recent assignment was as a batting consultant for Canterbury last season."He's a proven coach with an extensive international playing career," Sawyer said. "The players are excited to start working with Craig; they're looking forward to having him on board for the upcoming tour to England."McCullum said he was looking to "drive the team forward" ahead of a busy schedule that includes the women's T20 World Cup in just four months."I'm rapt with the appointment and to be back involved in coaching international cricket again," he said."It'll be great to be part of the White Ferns family as we head into a busy nine-month schedule with some exciting challenges ahead. I've watched these talented players a lot from close quarters over the past few seasons and can't wait to join the management team in driving the group forward."New Zealand are scheduled to tour England for three ODIs and five T20Is, between June 26 and July 17. They will then travel to Australia for a three-match T20I series in September, before the T20 World Cup in October.McMillan's appointment is a significant boost for the White Ferns, who are looking to build on their recent success. The team reached the semi-finals of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the final of the 2022 ODI World Cup.McMillan's experience and expertise will be invaluable as the White Ferns look to continue their progress and challenge for major honors.

Cam Fletcher, the promising New Zealand batter, has signed with Derbyshire for the upcoming Vitality Blast tournament. The 23-year-old will join the Falcons for 11 fixtures, starting with their East Midlands clash against Nottinghamshire on Friday.Fletcher, who has yet to make his international debut, has impressed with his aggressive batting style in domestic cricket. He has amassed nearly 2,000 T20 runs in his career, including 11 half-centuries at a remarkable strike rate of 131.14. Last season, he featured in three T20 matches for Glamorgan, with a top score of 57 from 40 balls against Sussex.In the recently concluded 2023-24 Super Smash, Fletcher played a key role in Auckland Aces' title triumph. He scored 180 runs across six innings, showcasing his ability to score runs consistently.Fletcher's arrival at Derbyshire is a timely boost for the team, which is looking to strengthen its batting lineup. He joins the Falcons as a replacement for fast bowler Blair Tickner, who has returned to New Zealand for family reasons."I'm thrilled to join Derbyshire Falcons," said Fletcher. "The Vitality Blast is a prestigious competition, and I can't wait to contribute to the team's success. Mickey Arthur is a highly respected coach, and I'm excited to work under his guidance."Head of Cricket Mickey Arthur welcomed Fletcher's addition to the squad. "We've acted swiftly to secure a powerful batter in Cam Fletcher," said Arthur. "He's a dynamic player who will add firepower to our batting lineup. His experience in the Vitality Blast will be invaluable as we navigate a challenging schedule."Fletcher's signing is a testament to Derbyshire's commitment to building a competitive team for the Vitality Blast. The Falcons will be hoping that the New Zealand batter can make a significant impact and help them achieve their goals in the tournament.