Opinion
Trent Boult has, according to recent reports, made himself unavailable for the Test series against England in New Zealand this February.
What a devastating blow this is to the home team’s chances of exacting revenge for recent defeats against the ‘Bazball’ inspired side.
Test cricket needs all the help it can get and having your best team available to spark interest is a priority.
Yes, he is just one player, but the next best to Boult may not inspire spectators to make the effort to watch the series. Quality will always bring the crowds in.
The left-arm ace’s workload from T20 commitments will make his availability for future Black Caps Tests difficult if not impossible. I gather selectors will not be prioritising a player who picks and chooses what matches he can play.
So may be the end of Boult’s stellar Test career and his skill, pace and class will be sorely missed.
I witnessed his Test debut in 2011 at Hobart and knew he would have a long, successful calling.
At the age of 33 it is perfectly understandable why he may opt for shorter, more lucrative cricket. He has done it all for his country and the desire to prepare and play five day matches may have dwindled.
Now it is time to travel the world playing T20 and securing a future for his family.
Trent Boult sends down another delivery. (Photo by Andy Kearns/Getty Images)
Trent Boult is mirroring what rugby players have been doing for many years: heading overseas to boost the bank balance. But what effect will this have on the best players being available for Tests?
Are supporters being selfish when seeking the optimal players to follow on the international stage or is the selfishness with the players? Players have a short timeline to secure their financial future and no-one can blame them for wanting to maximise it.
If you have grown up with T20, the apparent demise of Test cricket does not evoke great sympathy, but a scenario of weaker Test teams sadly losing crowd support and enthusiasm would be felt by long-term supporters.
Is this the future? Is Boult’s absence a taste of what is to come and will Test cricket survive? Will there be a place for Boult-like players to combine an overseas T20 career and still be selected for Tests?
The income for an Australian Test player is significantly more than a Black Cap, making the opportunity to stay at home possible. I anticipate that T20 leagues will only grow as they provide needed income for smaller cricketing nations, making it more tempting for recognised players to secure a career, thus seeing the dream of playing for your country diminish.
Trent Boult’s decision encouraged me to gaze into the future and guess as to what impact this will have on Test cricket.
Will Test cricket survive or will the lure of the almighty dollar be to the detriment of the traditional format?
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.
New Test, same result, same problems for Australia as they finish their tour of New Zealand with a fifth win from five matches. Christchurch,…
At the beginning of this second Test between New Zealand and Australia, the Australians formed a guard of honour for Marais Erasmus standing in…
With his place as Australian wicketkeeper suddenly in jeopardy after a poor run of scores with the bat, Alex Carey's brilliant unbeaten 98 to…
It was 50 years ago that New Zealand recorded their first Test Cricket win over Australia.
A five-wicket haul from Josh Hazlewood helped Australia run through New Zealand on the first day in Christchurch, but familiar batting woes have prevented…
New Zealand have tapped uncapped quick Ben Sears for the second Test against Australia, ending hopes of a farewell outing for retired Black Caps…
