BLACKCAPS bowler Trent Boult says it is a “pretty cool” feeling to look at the leading wicket takers for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 and see three BLACKCAPS at the top of the table.
The left arm quick has already taken home two Man of the Match awards and been a revelation for the BLACKCAPS in the tournament, snaring 13 wickets to share top spot with good mate Tim Southee after five games, with Dan Vettori on their heels with 12.
"It is pretty cool,” the 25-year-old said of the achievement as the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 comes to the end of pool play.
“It is nice to have three ND [SKYCITY Northern Knights] guys up the top there. Dan has been bowling extremely well and Timmy has as well. There is still a lot of cricket to be played so hopefully there are a few more wickets in the tank.”
Boult, a relative newcomer to one day cricket with only 21 games to his name, said his partnership with Southee has eased with his transition to opening the attack with the white ball.
“I have learnt a lot from Tim over the years and I definitely enjoy bowling with him, even the influence that Dan has on the group. He is a world class player and for him to bring up 300 last game was pretty special. He offers a lot to the unit.”
Boult added that Vettori, whose world-class economy rate of 4.10 from 291 ODIs for New Zealand, is the perfect foil to slow the game down.
“Just his nous of the game and the way he thinks about the game. He always seems to be a step ahead of the opposition. He really sets it up for people like myself to strike and take wickets.”
Boult hopes the success of the BLACKCAPS bowling unit will continue this week against Bangladesh who upset England last night in Adelaide, winning by 15 runs to knock them out of the tournament.
“They're (England) a side full of so many class players. Obviously they have been having a bit of a tough time. It is a shame to see them get knocked out already but it doesn’t have too much to do with us.”
Boult added that Bangladesh played very well and deserved their win. The recent form of the BLACKCAPS against Bangladesh away from home – where they lost two series 4-0 and 3-0 – is a good reminder of what the team is up against.
“Success is there for us when we are playing them in their own backyard but when we have travelled there we have struggled a little bit. They are full of some world class players and we know that they will be a tough candidate come Friday night.”
Boult said running out to face the Tigers on his home ground, Seddon Park, in a World Cup is a great opportunity.
“I have played a lot of cricket here and that’s the same for a lot of our bowling unit. It is always nice to play at home. Everyone in the group is pretty pumped to be here.”
Boult said that this current BLACKCAPS side, who has won five from five to be the top of Pool A, is the most enjoyable team he has been a part of.
“The success that we have been having has been pretty special and [this World Cup] is something that I will look back on and be really proud of. I am sure that I speak for the majority of the group there as well. A World Cup in my home country, it’s not hard to get motivated for that.”
ICC Cricket World Cup 2015: BLACKCAPS v Bangladesh 2pm Seddon Park in Hamilton.
