Cricket Board of New Zealand announce Trent Boult's removal from central contract

The cricket board of New Zealand announced on Wednesday that the pacer Trent Boult has been released from his central contract. Trent Boult has reportedly told the board that he wants to spend more time with his family. He further added that he wanted to be available to play for domestic leagues.

Removing the 33-year-old pacer might mean that he’ll get fewer chances to represent his country. And Boult revealed that he understands the fact but had to give preference to his family. The left-arm bowler will represent the Blackcaps in all formats but fewer matches.

Players retiring from one of the three formats has become a new normal. There has been a significant increase in such cases after England test skipper Ben Stokes announced his retirement from the ODIs. Boult might be travelling the same way as his retirement from one of the formats is very well in the offing.

The Rotorua-born pacer has represented New Zealand in 215 international matches. And the fiery bowler has picked up a total of 548 wickets across three formats. The man that took Virat Kohli’s wicket in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup will now represent New Zealand in fewer matches.

I still have a big desire to represent my country: Trent Boult

“This has been a really tough decision for me, and I’d like to thank NZC for their support in getting to this point. Playing cricket for my country was a childhood dream, and I’m so proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve with the BLACKCAPS over the past 12 years. Ultimately this decision is about my wife Gert, and our three young boys. Family has always been the biggest motivator for me, and I feel comfortable with putting it first and preparing ourselves for life after cricket,” Cricbuzz quoted Boult as saying.

The left-arm pacer revealed that he understands the limitations of his career as a fast bowler. He further added that the time has come for him to move for the next phase. “Having said that, as a fast bowler, I know I have a limited career span, and I feel the time is right to move into this next phase,” Boult added.