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New Zealand expecting Trent Boult in the World Cup

Kriralok Desk: Trent Boult played in the last Twenty20 World Cup despite not being under the central contract of New Zealand Cricket. This year there is a global ODI tournament. Will the Kiwis get this experienced pacer this time? The team’s chief selector and former pacer Gavin Larsen said, they are hopeful.

Bolt abruptly pulled out of the central contract in August last year. Basically, the 33-year-old cricketer took this decision to give more time to his family and to play unhindered in franchise leagues around the world.

Bolt played in the T20 World Cup last October-November in Australia. He took 8 wickets in 5 matches with close to seven and a half runs per over. After that, he did not enter the field for the national team.

New Zealand did not include Boult in the squad for the just-concluded tour of India to prioritize players under contract. On tour, they were whitewashed in the ODI series, losing 2-1 in the T20I. Bolt is now busy playing for the UAE franchise tournament MI Emirates.

Thirteenth ODI World Cup will be held in India next October-November. Bolt has already said about his desire to play in the tournament.

“The door is open for him. We all know about Boult’s record-achievement, experience. I know what a match-winning cricketer he is and what he has done for us over the years.”

Boult is one of only four bowlers to take three hundred Test wickets for New Zealand. In 78 Tests, he took 317 wickets. Besides, 187 wickets in 99 ODIs and 74 in 55 T20Is. In all, he is the fourth most successful bowler in the history of the country in international cricket. Larsen is hoping to get this left-arm pacer who has the ability to swing in both directions for India in the World Cup.

“We want him in the team, want to keep him in the team. We fully understand his situation, so we will continue to work with him. There’s the World Cup at the end of the year…Trent Boult will start bowling for us, I’m hoping.”

New Zealand have played in the finals of the last two ODI World Cups. They lost to Australia in the 2015 title decider. Four years later their title dreams were dashed in dramatic defeat. The Super Over was also tied after the main match against England. Later, the Englishmen cheered the title from forward as a boundary.

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