Trent Boult released from New Zealand cricket contract

Trent Boult, who has led New Zealand’s fast bowling department in the last decade, has been released from his contract. However, the 33-year-old will be available to play domestic leagues. 

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Explaining the call, New Zealand Cricket said that Boult wants to  spend more time with his young family. The Kiwi swing bowler got married to Gert Smith in 2017. The two have three children. 

The cricket board’s chief David White, in a press release, said that Trent Boult told them that ‘his appetite for touring had diminished’. The bowler added that he wished to spend more time with his family. 

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“We respect Trent’s position. He’s been completely honest and up-front with us about his reasoning and, while we’re sad to be losing him as a fully-contracted player, he leaves with our best wishes and our sincere thanks,” White said. 

Boult has taken 317 wickets in tests and 169 in one-day internationals and with his new ball partner Tim Southee has played a major role in the recent successes of a New Zealand team which won the inaugural World Test Championship and reached the finals of the last two 50-overs World Cups.

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“Trent’s made a massive contribution to the Black Caps since his test debut in late 2011 and is now considered one of the best multi-format cricketers in the world. We’re very proud of what he’s achieved.”

White further added that he was confident that Boult understood what his decision meant for his career. 

“We’ve had several conversations and I know Trent understands that, in terms of selection, NZC will continue to make a priority of those players with either central or domestic contracts.”

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Boult said it had been a difficult call to make.

“This has been a really tough decision for me and I’d like to thank NZC for their support in getting to this point,” he said.

“Playing cricket for my country was a childhood dream and I’m so proud of everything I’ve been able to achieve with the BLACKCAPS over the past 12 years.

“Ultimately this decision is about my wife Gert and our three young boys. Family has always been the biggest motivator for me and I feel comfortable with putting it first and preparing ourselves for life after cricket.”