17 June,2024 06:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ian Smith (Pic: File Pic)
Former New Zealand player and commentator Ian Smith feels that it will be hard to find another replacement for star pacer Trent Boult. The "Black Caps" are already been eliminated from the T20 World Cup 2024. Trent Boult will make his last T20 World Cup appearance for the Kiwis in the match against Papua New Guinea at Brian Lara Cricket Stadium.
After securing a win over Ugandam Trent Boult confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2024 will be his last appearance in the global showpiece for New Zealand.
"Speaking on behalf of myself, this will be my last T20 World Cup. That's all I have to say," Boult said, confirming his last appearance in T20 WC at the press conference.
Smith ruminated the left-arm pacer's decision and opined that finding a player to replace Boult would be a demanding challenge for the Kiwis.
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"In New Zealand, when we'd think about replacing Trent Boult, we'll have to dig very deep. And right now, we can't. We haven't got a left-arm bowler of world-class ability in our ranks at the moment," Smith said as quoted from the ICC.
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Ian Smith compared Boult with legendary pacer Sir Richard Hadlee. In the 1970s and 80s, Hadlee was considered one of the best all-rounders who ended his career with 431 test wickets. It is still a record in New Zealand.
Smith feels that Boult made the same impact on New Zealand just like Richard Hadlee had in his playing days.
"There are kids coming through but it will be a long time, a long, long time just as it was with Richard Hadlee. A long time until we replace or come close to replacing what Trent Boult has done," he added.
Having the opportunity to see both Boult and Hadlee bowl, Smith feels that the common thing between them was "rhythm".
"(Boult) He's one of those players, who has a nice rhythm about what he does. I have played cricket with Richard Hadlee, and his great thing was rhythm," Smith said.
"His action hasn't changed over the years really, he has a nice flow about doing things. He's not the quickest bowler in the world but the most demanding," he concluded.
New Zealand T20 World Cup 2024 team: Kane Williamson (c), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee.
Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears.
(With ANI Inputs)
