Trent Boult has become the fourth pacer from New Zealand to take over 300 wickets in Tests during the Hagley Oval match against Bangladesh.
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Trent Boult entered an elite list of players during the Hagley Oval Test against Bangladesh in Christchurch on Monday. Boult became the fourth New Zealand bowler to take 300 Test wickets. His wicket of Mehidy Hasan saw him join Sir Richard Hadlee, Daniel Vettori and Tim Southee as the other New Zealand pacers who have taken 300 wickets in Tests. Sir Richard Hadlee has 431 wickets from 86 Tests. Vettori has taken 361 wickets while Southee is slightly ahead with 325.
Speaking about the moment, Boult said the prime focus was on New Zealand winning the Test and leveling the series. “The wicket obviously offers a bit of bounce with grass on it. I thought the way the boys started, to get a couple of wickets early, not really letting up on the pressure. I suppose we did what we spoke about. It is simply to get them playing on the front foot, and bowl for each other at each end. Only half the job is done, but it was a satisfying afternoon. I am generally trying to pitch the ball up. Get a bit of movement in the air. The wicket offers a bit of bounce. It has a good grass covering. The wind is the big thing for us as a bowling unit,” Boult said after the end of the day’s play.
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However, the moment for Boult was sweeter when he celebrated it with his new-ball bowler Tim Southee. The duo has been one of the prime factors in New Zealand’s resurgence as a Test team. Boult and Southee have performed for the New Zealand team right from the Under-17 days. Both Boult and Southee played the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.
When Boult made his international debut in 2011, Southee was already established as a Test pacer in the New Zealand team from 2008. From 2013 onwards, both Boult and Southee established themselves as one of the greatest new-ball opening pairs in world cricket. The duo have taken over 600 wickets in these 10 years. Boult said it was a honour to be in the same bracket as Southee in the wicket-taker’s list.
“He is pretty proud of me. Nice to join him. Very special to have him out there this afternoon. I am sure we can enjoy a few more wickets together. Our friendship has dated back many years. I think we met towards the end of Under-17s. We have had a career to date of probably ten-plus years underneath the black cap. I am also learning off him. He has an incredible work ethic. His record speaks for itself. It comes from a lot of hard yards, and his desire to be better every day. It is always a great feeling when both of us are taking wickets,” Boult said.
Bangladesh are currently leading the two-Test series 1-0 after registering a shock win against the ICC World Test Champions at the Bay Oval.
