Minutes after Trent Boult announced that he had played his last World Cup game for New Zealand, captain Kane Williamson addressed questions about his own retirement following the team’s final T20 World Cup match on Monday. Despite New Zealand’s seven-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, the Black Caps’ fate in the tournament was already sealed, marking a historic group-stage exit.

Trent Boult’s emotional farewell

Following New Zealand’s victory over Papua New Guinea, Trent Boult confirmed that it was his “last day” playing international cricket for the Black Caps. Boult’s 13-year international career, which concluded in a downbeat setting of a ‘dead’ T20 World Cup game, has been filled with remarkable achievements. Reflecting on his career, Boult expressed mixed emotions: “It feels a little bit weird, a few emotions obviously the last couple of days.”

While Boult took two wickets for 14 runs against Papua New Guinea, contributing to their skittling out for 78, he remained non-committal about his future beyond this match: “I haven’t thought much further than this, I’m in no position to comment right now. I enjoyed being out there one last time.” Boult’s illustrious career includes 317 wickets in 78 Tests, making him the fourth highest wicket-taker for New Zealand, and significant contributions in ODIs and T20Is.

Kane Williamson uncertain about T20I future

In the post-match press conference, Kane Williamson was questioned about his T20I future for New Zealand. Williamson, who has been infrequently selected for international duty since being released from his central contract in August 2022, responded with uncertainty: “I don’t know. There’s a bit of time between now and then, so it’s regrouping as a side. And yeah, we’ve sort of got Red Ball cricket over the next year basically. So yeah, it’s back into some other international formats, and yeah, see where things land.”

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Williamson paid tribute to Boult’s contributions to New Zealand cricket, highlighting his consistency and dedication across all formats: “He’s made a fantastic contribution to our game and he’s created a space for new players to come in and meet the standard that he’s set.” Boult’s departure marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket, as the team looks to rebuild and integrate new talent in the coming years.