Minutes after Trent Boult confirmed he has played his final World Cup match for New Zealand, captain Kane Williamson raised the question of retirement after the team’s final T20 World Cup match on Monday. New Zealand beat Papua New Guinea by seven wickets in a lopsided contest at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, but that did not change the Kiwis’ fortunes in this World Cup.
Defeats against Afghanistan and the West Indies were so heavy that New Zealand failed to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in the tournament’s history. It will also be the first time in seven World Cups (ODIs and T20Is) that New Zealand will not feature in the semi-finals.
Of course, it was certainly rumours. Boult said he had played his “last day” of international cricket after the PNG match. His 13-year hiatus from international cricket appeared to have ended in the disappointing setting of a ‘dead’ T20 World Cup match.
“It feels a bit strange, some emotions obviously the last few days,” Boult said.
Pressed on whether the game represented his final New Zealand appearance, Boult added an element of doubt: “I haven’t thought much beyond this, I can’t comment at the moment. I enjoyed being there one last time.”
Boult took two wickets for 14 runs as PNG were bowled out for 78 in an innings where fellow quick Lockie Ferguson finished with a remarkable 3-0 from his maximum four overs, but
“Not ready to go any further, but I’m very proud of what I’ve done with the Black Caps and sad that it’s my last day with New Zealand,” Boult said.
Kane Williamson unsure about T20I future
A few minutes later, in the post-match press conference, Williamson was asked if he has played his last T20I for New Zealand. The right-hander said he has yet to receive a call.
“I don’t know. It’s a little bit of time between now and then, so it’s regrouping as a side. And yeah, we’ve got kind of Red Ball cricket for the next year basically. So yeah, it’s back to some other international format, and yes, see where things land,” he said.
The 34-year-old has rarely been selected for international duty since being released from his central New Zealand contract in August 2022, allowing him to play in more domestic T20 leagues overseas.
The swing bowler featured 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.
“Trent Boult a great servant for New Zealand”
Boult’s tally of 317 wickets in 78 Tests is the fourth highest of any New Zealand bowler. Long-time new-ball colleague Tim Southee (380 Test wickets) is second, behind Richard Hadlee (431 wickets).
Boult’s last Test was against England at Headingley almost two years ago, with the World Cup semi-final the latest 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 will be sad to see him go, it’s been pretty special to be with him throughout his career.
“He has such an attitude to get better. He trains very hard, he is as fit as he has 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 he’s set.”
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