Trent Boult Retires from International Cricket After T20 World Cup Disappointment

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."

Tags: #TrentBoult, #NewZealandCricket, #T20WorldCup, #Retirement, #Cricket