Veteran left-arm pacer Trent Boult has been included in New Zealand’s squad for the four-match away ODI series against England in September, a month prior to the ICC Men’s World Cup.
In August 2022, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) agreed to release Boult from the central contract upon his request as the left-arm pacer wanted to spend more time with his family and make himself available for franchise cricket.
“It’s great to welcome Trent back into our ODI unit as he begins his preparation towards the World Cup in India,” said head coach Gary Stead.
Despite being excluded from the central contract in August last year, Boult last played an ODI in September.
Upon his release from the central contract, the NZC asserted that they would “continue to make a priority of those players with either central or domestic contracts”.
Besides Boult, fellow pacer Lockie Ferguson has also made his way back into the squad after recovering from a back injury but all-rounder Michael Bracewell was still unavailable for the England tour.
Notably, Bracewell underwent surgery after rupturing his right Achilles while batting for the Worcestershire Rapids in the English T20 Blast.
Additionally, Mark Chapman and James Neesham will also miss the ODI series as they both await the births of their first children, while spinner Ish Sodhi will return home after the four-match T20 series which precedes the ODIs.
Injured New Zealand’s limited-over captain Kane Williamson will join the squad to continue his rehabilitation from a knee injury but will not play.
He ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee while fielding for Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League.
New Zealand ODI squad: Tom Latham (c & wk), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Will Young.
New Zealand T20I squad: Tim Southee (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway (wk), Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips. Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi.