Trent Boult Slams Michael Clarke For 'Token Games' Comment

New Zealand’s pace spearhead Trent Boult has criticized Michael Clarke for his comments on ‘historic’ Australia-New Zealand series.

New Zealand will take on Australia in a three-match ODI series away from home. The first game of the series will take place on March 13 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Former Australian skipper Clarke had criticized the scheduling saying that these are just ‘Token Games Of Cricket’.

Clarke’s comments have not gone down well with Boult as the latter has bashed Clarke for his remarks on the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.

Trent Boult Lashes Out At Michael Clarke For ‘Token Games’ Comment

“Michael Clarke doesn’t sound too happy for some reason, I don’t know what’s got under his skin. I don’t know why the series is token. There’s a good trophy up for grabs between both teams and we can’t wait to hopefully lift it,” Boult said.

 

He added, “Australia’s an awesome place to play cricket. They’re big stadiums compared to the ones here. I’m sure there will be a crowd there with a few supporters.”

“I’m already ready to hear some sledging and a few other things. It’s going to be an exciting series, no matter what some people are saying,” Boult told journalists at Auckland Airport.

Michael Clarke Had Labelled Chappell-Hadlee Series As ‘Token Games’

Clarke slammed the timing of the three-match series between Australia and New Zealand, calling it “token games of cricket” and even questioned if anyone would turn up to watch the matches in Sydney and Hobart respectively.

“I’m a cricket fan through and through, but unfortunately for whoever’s made the decision to put these ODIs on, it’s footy season. The cricket season’s finished – and what a great way to finish it with the women winning the World Cup,” Clarke said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“I’ll be very surprised if anybody turns up to watch those games. We’re playing way too much. We don’t need to,” he added.

Since the start of 2020, Australia have played one Test, six ODIs and three T20Is in a little over two months which also included tours to India and South Africa.

This will be Australia’s third three-match ODI series this year after the ones in India and South Africa, both of which they lost 1-2 and 0-3, respectively. They also played three T20Is in South Africa prior to the ODIs, winning the series 2-1.

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