Trent Boult Returns As NZ Name Squad For Australia T20Is

image-lsld4jelTrent Boult [X.com]

Trent Boult is set to play for New Zealand for the first time since the conclusion of the ICC World Cup 2023 in India in November as the experienced left-arm speedster got named in BlackCaps' squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia. 

Boult, who had controversially opted out of a central contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), has held a sporadic presence in the senior national side over the past two years and missed the tour of Bangladesh, the return series versus the Bangla Tigers, Pakistan T20Is as well as the two World Test Championship (WTC) fixtures against South Africa. 

The veteran quick wanted to free-up his calendar for T20 league assignments and was seen playing the International League T20 (ILT20) in UAE. His last T20I outing for New Zealand came in November 2022. The 34-year-old has been picked for the second and the third T20Is against the Australians. 


Southee To Play Only First T20I Vs Australia 

Boult will be replacing his longstanding pace mate Tim Southee in the squad for the last two T20Is, both scheduled in Auckland, as Southee will play only the opening game in Wellington on February 21 to manage his workload ahead of the two Test championship games against the Trans-Tasman rivals. 

While Boult returns from T20 commitments, allrounder James Neesham stays put in Bangladesh for the ongoing edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). His absence has opened doors for the selection of uncapped allrounder Josh Clarkson. Young sensation Rachin Ravindra is also included. 

Regular skipper Kane Williamson will be missing the series due to paternity leave while Michael Bracewell (finger injury) and Daryl Mitchell (foot injury) are out with injuries. 

"It's never ideal missing two of your best players for such a big series, but in saying that, we do have a lot of faith in the guys coming in," selector Sam Wells said. "Both Josh and Rachin have been in our white-ball squads this summer and it's really exciting for them to now get this opportunity." 

"Josh (Clarkson) hits the ball as long and as hard as anyone and we were encouraged by his performances with the ball in his maiden ODI series against Bangladesh before Christmas." 

"Rachin (Ravindra)'s talent and class has been clear to all over the past six months, and similar to Josh, it's great to have his all-round skill-set to call on in this squad."


New Zealand squad for AUS T20Is

Mitchell Santner (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult (games 2 & 3), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Adam Milne, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee (game 1)