Trent Boult News: Trent Boult will be released from his central contract by New Zealand Cricket, who considers him to be their best fast bowler. This was requested by the 33-year-old pacer, and the board has now accepted after multiple discussions with the NZC. Boult made the request so that he could spend more time with his family and be eligible to play in domestic leagues all over the world.

Boult’s position with the national team will be greatly diminished in what will be the latter stretch of his career, but he will still be eligible for selection if and when it becomes available.

On Wednesday, NZC Chief Executive White stated, “We appreciate Trent’s viewpoint” (August 10). While we’re sorry to lose him as a fully-contracted player, he leaves with our best wishes and our profound gratitude. He’s been absolutely honest and up-front with us about his motivation.

Since making his Test debut in late 2011, Trent Boult has significantly aided the BLACKCAPS and is now regarded as one of the top all-around cricketers in the world. We are quite pleased of his accomplishments.

White said that Boult is aware of the circumstances and that the contractual players, whether they are central or domestic, would have a preference for selections in New Zealand.

“We’ve had several conversations and I know Trent understands that, in terms of selection, NZC will continue to make a priority of those players with either central or domestic contracts.”

Boult, who has played in 78 Tests, 93 ODIs, and 44 T20 Internationals to far, acknowledged that this was a difficult choice to make but that it was necessary in light of his young family.

“I’d want to thank NZC for their assistance in helping me reach to this stage. This has been a truly difficult decision for me. My boyhood goal was to play cricket for my nation, and I’m really pleased of everything I’ve accomplished with the BLACKCAPS over the past 12 years.

“This choice ultimately affects my wife Gert and our three young boys. My family has always been my main source of motivation, and I am comfortable prioritizing them while preparing my family and me for life beyond cricket “said Boult.

The pacer understood that this decision might affect his chances moving forward, but he believed the timing was perfect to make it.

“I still have a strong desire to represent my country, and I believe I am capable of doing so on a global scale. I acknowledge that not having a national contract will reduce my selection prospects, though.

That being said, he said, “I feel the timing is perfect to go into this next phase. As a fast bowler, I realize I have a certain career span.