CricketTrent Boult set to return for World Cup 2023 after contract settlement with New Zealand
New Zealand wants a better show at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, and with Trent Boult committing to the team despite not agreeing to a central playing contract, their bid has been boosted. In a deal between Boult and New Zealand Cricket, the 33-year-old fast bowler has been offered a casual playing deal, while his other 20 international teammates have been offered full-time contracts.
Boult’s return looks imminent in World Cup
Last August, Boult and New Zealand agreed to a central contract release, allowing the fast bowler to play in various domestic leagues around the world and spend more time with his family. In spite of the release, both sides are open to the pacer joining the national squad, and his turn looks imminent in the World Cup.
Adam Milne grabbed his first central contract
Meanwhile, Boult’s fellow fast bowler Adam Milne will be getting his first central contract after five years, as he had a stellar year in the game. Milne played 11 T20s and five ODIs in the last 12 months, during which he claimed 24 wickets, including a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in the T20 back in April.
Milne’s selection will benefit the team in white-ball cricket, with the focus on the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 and the Men’s T20 World Cup next year. New Zealand’s coach Gary Stead said that “the contract is a fair reward for Milne , he has worked very hard and showed good flexibility in the past few years, which earned him the position to take up this contract offer. He has always been a brilliant bowler, and we were more impressed by him during the home summer and tour of Pakistan.
Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Blair Tickner were retained after joining as mid-year contract players, and they replaced Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, and Martin Guptill, with all three granted release. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel was on the contracted list last year, but he has not been offered a central contract yet.
New Zealand players who are offered central contracts
The players who are offered central contracts for 2023-2024 are: Finn Allen, Tom Blundell,Kane Williamson, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner,Tom Latham, Adam Milne, and Will Young.
