New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has confirmed that the ongoing T20 World Cup is his final appearance for the Black Caps in the tournament. Boult's decision comes after New Zealand's thumping nine-wicket win against Uganda at Brian Lara Stadium here, to register their first win of the tournament. He is the highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in the T20 World Cups.
New Zealand have been knocked out of the T20 World Cup after successive defeats against Afghanistan and West Indies respectively. It is the first time since 2014 that Kiwis have failed to reach the semi-final in the limited-overs World Cup.
Boult's statement
"Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup, so yeah that's all I have to say," Boult said.
"I think, in T20 cricket anything can happen. We're devastated to not qualify. We've been outplayed earlier in the tournament and, we haven't qualified for good reason so it's unfortunate but that's how T20 cricket goes," he added.
Fond memories with NZ squad
Remembering his bowling partner Tim Southee, the 34-year-old pacer acknowledged their bond was strong beyond the cricket field.
"I look at it with very fond memories. We bowled a lot of overs together. I know the partnership very well, and obviously a very good friend on and off the ground. So yeah, nice to wind back the clock a little bit and see a bit of swing bowling at the top. Hopefully, a couple more still to come," he said.
Heartbreaking exit from WC
Despite the T20 World Cup elimination, Boult is optimistic about New Zealand's rise in the years ahead with a young crop of players.
"It's a hard one to forecast. Like I said there's a lot of pride in the dressing room and playing for the country. We've had some great records across the however many years and it's something that we don't look at too much.
"I think there's still some tremendous talent inside that dressing room and coming through the ranks in New Zealand cricket. So, we're a proud nation and I think it will continue to go that way," Boult said.
New Zealand will take on Papua New Guinea in their final group stage fixture at the same venue on June 17.
