Trent Boult aims to lift 2023 World Cup after two missed opportunities

Despite rejecting a central contract in August 2022, Trent Boult is back in the New Zealand fold just ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India.

Boult was named in the squad for the four-match ODI series against England, having last played an ODI for the Black Caps almost a year ago in September 2022, an ICC report said.

As the two sides begin their final preparations for the marquee event, Boult has set his sights on not just making the third consecutive final but also snapping the World Cup curse after having come so close in 2019.

"I have always had this in the back of my mind to come back and work towards an ODI World Cup," Boult said. "There's history involved there. The times we have had in previous campaigns have been very exciting. So I'm just hungry to get involved, and hopefully play a big role."

"I'm just thinking about hopefully lifting something pretty shiny that we were pretty close to four years ago. That's the biggest focus," he said.

Boult also reflected on his decision to reject a central contract a year ago for a more favourable playing schedule but made it clear that his focus has always been to play for New Zealand.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make just over a year ago to move away from New Zealand cricket bubble in a way," he said. "I never wanted it to be about New Zealand or franchise cricket. I just respected the fact that my career is only so long, and just tried to make the most of my remaining years as a bowler."

"Yeah, definitely as hungry as ever to still represent the country, and hopefully do something special with the guys over the next couple of months. I can't wait," Boult said.

New Zealand will feature in the opening game of the Cricket World Cup 2023 against England in Ahmedabad on October 5 in what will be a rematch of the epic finale from the 2019 edition.

Among their other prominent fixtures is their match against India at the picturesque Dharamsala on October 22 and the Trans-Tasman clash against Australia on October 28 at the same venue.