Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, June 17, 2024 Agence France Presse: Left-arm paceman Trent Boult said he had played his “last day” of international cricket after New Zealand’s disappointing T20 World Cup campaign ended with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in Trinidad on Monday.
His 13-year stint in international cricket appeared to have ended in the downbeat setting of a ‘dead’ T20 World Cup game.
“It feels a little bit weird, a few emotions obviously the last couple of days,” said Boult.
Pressed on whether the game represented his final New Zealand appearance, Boult added an element of doubt: “I haven’t thought much further than this, I’m in no position to comment right now. I enjoyed being out there one last time.”
Defeats by Afghanistan and tournament co-hosts the West Indies earlier in Group C had helped end the Black Caps’ hopes of qualifying for the second-round Super Eights.
Papua New Guinea had also been eliminated before the match in front of a sparse crowd at the Brian Lara Stadium.
Boult took two wickets for 14 runs as PNG were skittled out for 78 in an innings where fellow quick Lockie Ferguson finished with a remarkable 3-0 from his maximum four overs but
“Gutted to not go any further, but I’m very proud of what I’ve done with the Black Caps and sad it’s my last day with New Zealand,” said Boult.
The 34-year-old has been infrequently selected for international duty since being released from his New Zealand central contract in August 2022, allowing him to play in more domestic T20 leagues abroad.
The swing bowler did feature in New Zealand’s 50-over World Cup campaign last year, where they reached the semifinals only to suffer a 70-run defeat by tournament hosts India at a packed Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Boult’s tally of 317 wickets in 78 Tests, is the fourth highest by any New Zealand bowler. Longstanding new-ball colleague Tim Southee (380 Test wickets) is second, behind Richard Hadlee (431 wickets).
“I’ve shared a dressing room with Tim Southee for well over a dozen years,” said Boult, with the pair both involved when New Zealand beat India in the inaugural 2021 World Test Championship final. “It’s a partnership I’ve enjoyed forming, and we’re very good friends off the field.”
Boult’s last Test was against England at Headingley nearly two years ago, with the World Cup semifinal the most recent 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’ll be sad to see him go, it’s been quite special being with him throughout his career.
“He’s got such an attitude for getting better. He trains very hard, he’s as fit as he’s 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 that he’s set.”
Emotional Boult calls T20 World Cup exit his ‘last day’ for New Zealand
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Emotional Boult calls T20 World Cup exit his ‘last day’ for New Zealand
- Boult’s tally of 317 wickets in 78 Tests, is the fourth highest by any New Zealand bowler
Sharjah Warriorz beat Gulf Giants for second straight ILT20 win
- Tom Abell leads batting charge with 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes
- Matheesha Pathirana claims 3 wickets, including key scalps of Moeen Ali and Matthew Forde
SHARJAH: Sharjah Warriorz continued their strong start to the International League T20 season with an 11-run victory over Gulf Giants at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Monday, making it two wins from two matches.
A composed batting effort led by Tom Abell, followed by disciplined bowling from Matheesha Pathirana and Wasim Akram, proved decisive as the Warriorz successfully defended a total of 174.
Abell anchored the innings with a well-judged 68 off 41 balls, striking five fours and three sixes.
After an early loss of Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Abell seized control in the powerplay, lifting the tempo with a 19-run over off Fred Klaassen. He later found valuable support from James Rew, who contributed 39, as the pair added 71 runs to stabilize the innings.
Dwaine Pretorius provided late impetus with a brisk 28 off 13 deliveries, while Ethan D’Souza chipped in with an unbeaten cameo as the Warriorz closed on 174 for 6.
In response, the Gulf Giants were rocked early as Akram and Taskin Ahmed removed Pathum Nissanka and James Vince cheaply.
Matheesha Pathirana further tightened the screws, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a wicket-maiden before the Giants slumped to 44 for 4 inside the powerplay.
Azmatullah Omarzai and Moeen Ali attempted to rebuild with a 79-run partnership, with Omarzai striking 41 off 26 and Ali anchoring the chase with 45. However, Akram broke the stand and regular wickets in the closing overs halted the Giants’ momentum.
Pathirana claimed three wickets, including the key scalps of Ali and Matthew Forde, while Pretorius struck twice late on as the Giants were restricted to 163 for 9.
Player of the match Pathirana said the performance was a step forward after a challenging period. “I’m gradually finding my rhythm, and this gives me a lot of confidence,” he said.
Stand-in captain Sikander Raza praised his side’s composure, adding: “Winning those small, decisive moments makes all the difference. There’s still room to improve, but full credit to our seamers for closing it out.”
