Sawt Falasteen - Boult set to return for New Zealand at ODI World Cup

Boult opted out of a New Zealand Cricket contract last year, which enabled him to play in the lucrative Big Bash League in Australia.

He was not included in the list of players offered a central deal on Thursday, instead signing a "casual playing agreement", New Zealand Cricket said.

Stead hopes Boult can resume his strike partnership alongside New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee at the 50-overs World Cup in India, which starts in October.

"We are having positive conversations with Trent, he's indicated he's available for the World Cup," Stead told reporters.

"From our perspective, he's one of the best ODI bowlers in the world so barring injury, I think it's highly likely that he would be part of our squad."

Boult, 33, is one of the world's best ODI bowlers having taken 187 wickets at that level and a further 74 for his country in Twenty20 cricket.

After being released from his central contract last year, Boult was omitted from the New Zealand squad for this year's drawn home Test series with England and the 2-0 win over Sri Lanka despite playing for the Black Caps at the 2022 Twenty20 World Cup.

Stead said Boult, who has taken 317 Test wickets, could still return to the Black Caps' five-day squad for next year's home series against South Africa, then Australia.

"That's still being discussed at the moment. Trent has other leagues he is committed to, so we are just working through that and exactly what it will mean," Stead added.

"He's indicated a willingness to play."

E.Aziz--SF-PST