NZ selection manager Gavin Larsen hopes Boult will play ODI World Cup
"We want him to be involved, we'd love him to be involved, we understand entirely his situation so we will keep working with him," Larsen said
PTI
02-Feb-2023
Trent Boult has not been contracted with NZC for nearly six months now • ICC/Getty Images
New Zealand's selection manager Gavin Larsen is hopeful fast bowler Trent Boult will spearhead the country's bowling attack at the ODI World Cup in India later this year.
Last year, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) agreed to release Boult from his central contract as he wanted to make himself available for T20 leagues around the world. He is currently turning out for MI Emirates in the UAE's International League T20.
Although the 33-year-old has expressed his desire to play in the World Cup, his participation in the tournament has not yet been confirmed.
However, Larsen told SENZ Mornings: "The door is very much open," adding that Boult is in constant talks with head coach Gary Stead.
"Gary and Trent talk on a regular basis. We all know Boulty's pedigree, his experience and just what a great match-winner he is and has been over the years for us," he said.
The left-arm quick, who has the exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways, is one of the best bowling talents in all formats of the game.
"We want him to be involved, we'd love him to be involved, we understand entirely his situation so we will keep working with him," Larsen said.
"We've got a World Cup at the end of the year and I've got my fingers crossed that if the stars align that we'll have a certain Trent Boult opening the bowling for us."
In the absence of Boult and the experienced Tim Southee, the relatively inexperienced New Zealand pace attack struggled in the recently-concluded white-ball series in India.
They were blanked 3-0 in the ODI series which would be a cause of concern for them with the World Cup just months away.
New Zealand reached back-to-back finals in 2015 and 2019 but are yet to win the event.