New Zealand pacer Trent Boult is aiming to go all the way in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023 to be played in India from October 5, especially after the Blackcaps lost two consecutive finals in 2015 and 2019.
Boult, who gave up his New Zealand central contract a year ago, is back in the fold as he was named in the Kiwi squad for the four-match ODI series against England, having last played an ODI for the Black Caps almost a year ago in September 2022.
Boult has set his sights on not just making the third consecutive final but also snapping the World Cup curse after having come so close in 2019.
"I have always had this in the back of my mind to come back and work towards an ODI World Cup. There's history involved there. The times we have had in previous campaigns have been very exciting. So just hungry to get involved, and hopefully play a big role.
I'm just thinking about hopefully lifting something pretty shiny that we were pretty close to four years ago. That's the biggest focus,” Boult was quoted as saying by ICC.
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Boult further talked in detail about his decision to reject a central contract a year ago to better manage his workload but cemented the fact that his priority remains playing for New Zealand.
"It wasn't an easy decision to make just over a year ago to move away from the New Zealand cricket bubble in a way. I never wanted it to be about New Zealand or franchise cricket. I just respected the fact that my career is [only] so long, and just tried to make the most of my remaining years as a bowler.
Yeah, definitely as hungry as ever to still represent the country, and hopefully do something special with the guys over the next couple of months. I can't wait,” Boult added.
New Zealand will play in the opening match of this year’s World Cup against defending champions England on October 5 in Ahmedabad. The BlackCaps will also face hosts India in Dharamsala on October 22 and Australia on 28 October at the same venue.
(ICC inputs)
