PNG clash to be Trent Boult's last in T20 World Cups

The legendary Trent Boult confirmed that New Zealand's encounter against Papua New Guinea on Monday, June 17, is going to be his last dance in T20 World Cups. The Blackcaps have been eliminated from the 2024 T20 World Cup, as Afghanistan and the West Indies are two teams who have managed to progress from Group C.

On Saturday, New Zealand outclassed Uganda at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad, winning the lopsided encounter by nine wickets. Boult set the tone for the Kiwis, as he finished with remarkable figures of 2/7 in four overs. The African nation was bowled out for 40 before New Zealand romped home in the sixth over, with nine wickets to spare.

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Boult's appearances for New Zealand have been few and far between since the left-arm seamer was released from his central contract almost two years ago.

"Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup," Boult told the media after the match. On Monday, the Brian Lara Stadium will see Boult playing his 18th and final T20 World Cup encounter, where he will look to add to his impressive tally of 32 wickets.

This could also mean that this upcoming clash against Papua New Guinea will be Boult's final World Cup appearance because the next T20 World Cup is in 2026 and the ODI World Cup is in 2027. Boult and his long-time seam-bowling partner Tim Southee bowled brilliantly in the powerplay against Uganda and eventually finished with combined figures of 5/11 in eight overs. The Rotorua-born said that it felt good to roll back the years along with his "very good friend", as they tormented the Uganda batters with prodigious swing on Saturday.

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"I look at the partnership with Tim with very fond memories. We bowled a lot of overs together. I know the partnership very well, and obviously, he's a very good friend on and off the ground. It was nice to wind back the clock a little bit and see a bit of swing bowling at the top. Some great memories, and hopefully a couple more still to come," he said.