Boult calls his ‘last day’ for NZ, Williamson uncertain of future

NZ’s Trent Boult during their match against PNG in Tarouba on Monday. Pic/Getty images; (inset) Kane Williamson

Left-arm paceman Trent Boult said he had played his "last day" of international cricket after New Zealand's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign ended with a seven-wicket win over Papua New Guinea in Trinidad on Monday.

His 13-year stint in international cricket appeared to have ended in the downbeat setting of a ‘dead' T20 World Cup game. "It feels a little bit weird, a few emotions obviously the last couple of days," said Boult.

Pressed on whether the game represented his final New Zealand appearance, Boult added an element of doubt: "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."

Defeats by Afghanistan and tournament co-hosts West Indies earlier in Group C had helped end the Black Caps's hopes of qualifying for the second-round Super Eights.

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Boult took two wickets for 14 runs as PNG were skittled out for 78 in an innings where fellow quick Lockie Ferguson finished with a remarkable 3-0 from his maximum four overs. "Gutted to not go any further, but I'm very proud of what I've done with the Black Caps and sad it's my last day with New Zealand," said Boult.

Meanwhile, skipper Kane Williamson was non-committal regarding his return for the 2026 edition of the marquee event.

When asked if he'd return for the 2026 edition, Williamson said: "Oh, 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, it's back into some other international formats and see where things land."

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