Trent Boult To Play His Last T20 World Cup Match Against Papua New Guinea

New Zealand's Trent Boult has confirmed that he will not participate in another T20 World Cup. Boult, who has taken 32 wickets in 17 matches in the tournament, is preparing for the Black Caps' final game of this year's edition against Papua New Guinea on Monday.

New Zealand exited a World Cup before the last four for the first time since 2014 after losing their opening games to Afghanistan and West Indies. Despite earning their maiden win of the tournament against Uganda, Monday's fixture against Papua New Guinea holds little significance for New Zealand.

The 34-year-old Boult confirmed that the match against Papua New Guinea will be his final appearance at a T20 World Cup. "Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup," Boult told the media.

Trent Boult declares the ongoing tournament would be his final appearance in the #T20WorldCup Details https://t.co/skxTQ050i1

— T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 15, 2024

With Boult bowing out from the T20 World Cup, the Black Caps will now have to address a significant gap in their bowling attack for 2026. In the current squad, only three players will be under 30 years old, with Tim Southee being another notable name who may step back in the coming years.

Boult and Southee have played crucial roles in recent ODI and T20 World Cups. Boult expressed hope that this edition of the competition will not be his last time playing alongside his good friend. "I look at the partnership with Tim with very fond memories," he said. "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."

Reflecting on a Successful Partnership

"It was nice to wind back the clock a little bit and see a bit of swing bowling at the top," Boult added. "Some great memories, and hopefully a couple more still to come."