In a surprising announcement, New Zealand Cricket put up a post on social media declaring that the Kiwi pacer Trent Boult will no longer be a part of the central contact. Trent Boult has chosen to terminate his central contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in order to spend extra time with his family, feeding rumors that he would soon quit international cricket. NZC claims that Boult asked the board to release him from his core contract.
New Zealand Cricket’s statement read, “We respect Trent’s position. He’s been completely honest and up-front with us about his reasoning and, while we’re sad to be losing him as a fully-contracted player. He leaves with our best wishes and our sincere thanks.”
NZC’s official statement on Trent Boult
Given the expansion of domestic T20 leagues around the world, the board may face additional difficulties as a result of Boult’s decision to terminate the central contract. Boult will still be qualified to represent New Zealand despite being freed from his contract, although the board is anticipated to give contracted players preference.
The left-arm fast bowler has 317 Test wickets, 169 ODI wickets, and 62 T20 wickets under his belt. According to NZC, Boult has decided to make himself available for domestic leagues and has acknowledged that his choice would have an effect on his international career. Boult said, “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. The family has always been the biggest motivator for me and I feel comfortable with putting it first and preparing ourselves for life after cricket. 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,” he added.
