Gary Stead provides breakthrough update on Trent Boult's availability for T20 World Cup 2024

New Zealand swing ace Trent Boult is all set to have a discussion with head coach Gary Stead later this week where the 2 will discuss Boult’s future with the national team. The left-arm seamer ever since declining central contract from the Kiwi cricket board, has been regularly taking part in franchise leagues around the world.

Trent Boult is more of a freelance bowler for New Zealand who appears for them during ICC events. He hasn’t featured in the Test team since 2022. His last ODI appearance came at the Wankhede during the Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-final last year while his last T2oI match was against Pakistan in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

In April 2022, Boult appealed to the New Zealand Cricket Board about not handing him a central contract going forward and he gave them 2 reasons. First was that he wanted to spend time with his wife Gert and his 3 kids and second was that he wanted to feature regularly in domestic T20 leagues around the world.

While announcing his decision, the Rotorua-born pacer stated that it was a tough call for him and has desires to represent his nation again but he also knew that opting out of a central contract might make it difficult for him to get into the team.

“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 Black Caps over the past 12 years.”

Ultimately, this decision is about my wife Gert and our three young boys. I still have a big desire to represent my country. However, I respect the fact that not having a national contract will affect my chances of selection.” – Trent Boult said. 

Gary Stead Reveals He Has Been Texting With Trent Boult About Possible Return

As Trent Boult is currently taking part in the 2nd edition of the International League T20 (ILT20) for the MI Emirates, Gary Stead has revealed that he has been exchanging text messages with him. Stead also revealed that they will sit together later this week for a discussion and hoped that Boult returns for the national side.

“I was texting with him last Saturday actually. Trent and I are going to have a conversation this week just around the future and what that looks like for him and where it fits for us as well. We’re still to have those, but we will connect this week and will work out. He could be available but I’m not 100% sure.”- Stead said. 

The Kiwi head coach also claimed that he is not their plans for a Test return when New Zealand hosts South Africa for 2 Test in February but he was hopeful about his return for the T20 World Cup later this year. Trent Boult was a part of the Blackcaps side that defeated India in the WTC final in 2021 and he has 602 international wickets to his name since making his debut in 2011.