'I'm Still Hungry': Trent Boult Sets Sights on ODI World Cup in India Upon Black Caps Comeback

Trent Boult will play international cricket after almost a year | Source: Twitter 

Trent Boult is set to play his first ODI in almost a year after New Zealand announced a strong squad for the four-match series against England to be played from September 8 to 15.

Last year, Boult made himself unavailable for New Zealand and opted out of the central contract to ply his trade in T20 leagues around the world. 

Now his return to the national side is also the indication that the left-armer will be there for the Black Caps in the upcoming 2023 World Cup, scheduled to be played in India. 

However, Boult recently revealed that he was eying the World Cup to mark his return to the national side. Here’s what the pacer said before a training session at Mount Maunganui’s Bay Oval on Thursday: 

“It wasn't an easy decision to make a year ago; to move away from the New Zealand Cricket bubble.”

“I never wanted it to be about New Zealand or franchise cricket; I just respected the fact that my career's only so long and to try and make the most out of my remaining years as a bowler. I'm definitely still as hungry as ever to represent my country and hopefully do something special with the guys over the next couple of months.” 

Boult has participated in T20 franchise cricket across Australia, the UAE, India, and the United States in the last eight months. He recently spearheaded the bowling attack for the MI New York, who went on to grab the inaugural championship title in Major League Cricket.  

On playing the franchise tournament across countries, here’s what the 34-year-old said: 

“When I made my decision to move away from my contract, it was to spend a bit more time at home, and it quickly became a lot of cricket around the world. I was very fortunate to take my family around the world and it's been one of the best things, to flick through the camera roll and see the kids with cowboy hats on in Texas and in Rajasthan with turbans ... it's going to be something I'll be pretty proud of in years to come.” 

The Kiwis pacer is now looking forward to his third ODI World Cup campaign, having finished runner-up in the last two. 

"I've always had it in my mind to come back, and working towards an ODI World Cup, with the history involved there and the times that we've had in previous campaigns have been very exciting – so just hungry to get involved and hopefully play a big role, just thinking about hopefully lifting something pretty shiny that we were pretty close to four years ago.”

New Zealand will kick off its tournament campaign in 2023 World Cup against England on October 5 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

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