Will be very surprised if Trent Boult doesn’t play World Cup: NZC CEO David White

Outgoing New Zealand Cricket CEO David White expects ace pacer Trent Boult to represent New Zealand in the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. The pacer opted out of the central contract last year in order to play more franchise-based tournaments.

Since then, he missed some key series against the likes of India, Sri Lanka and England among many others. No one is quite sure when the cricketer will be available for selection. But, White believes Boult will end up playing in the marquee competition. They already had positive conversations with the cricketer.

White also mentioned that the governing body gives more priority to centrally-contracted players in New Zealand summer as that is the right thing to do. He added that it is important for the integrity of game as players otherwise will opt out of it eventually.

“We have made it very clear that priority is given to centrally-contracted players. That was the case during the summer. It is very important for the integrity of the competition and of the contracting model that we give priority to our centrally-contracted players,” White told New Zealand radio station Newstalk ZB.

“In saying that, we’ve had a lot of conversations with Trent over the last few weeks and months. I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t representing New Zealand in the World Cup, and we’re having very positive conversations with him,” he added.

I’ve got that desire to be out there: Trent Boult

The pacer himself has expressed the idea of representing New Zealand in the ODI World Cup. In the 2019 edition, the Kiwis came really close to lifting the title. They lost to England in a dramatic final by the boundary count rule. Thus, Boult wants to play in the competition again and give his 100 percent.

“I remember after the 2019 final, I said to Kane (Williamson) that we’ve got to be there again, come 2023 in India. One hundred percent, I’ve got that desire to be out there,” Boult recently told ESPNcricinfo.