"I've still got that big desire to play for New Zealand”- Trent Boult on playing in 2023 ODI World Cup in India

Trent Boult also spoke about the future of bilateral international cricket.

Trent Boult still has "a big desire" to represent New Zealand at the 50-over World Cup in India later this year, and remains hopeful that he will add to his 78 Test caps. Trent Boult was released from his central contract from New Zealand Cricket to pursue T20 freelancing last year.

He has not played any international cricket since New Zealand's T20 World Cup semi-final defeat to Pakistan in November and has not played a Test match in nearly a year, with New Zealand prioritizing contracted players in their selection.

In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, while playing for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL in Jaipur, Trent Boult revealed his desire to visit India again in October or November for the ODI World Cup.

"I've still got that big desire to play for New Zealand. It is what it is: I've made my decision. I've been lucky enough to have a 13-year career in the Black Cap and hey, I've still got a big desire to play in the World Cup as well. We'll see how that unfolds: there's still a bit of movement in the landscape at the moment,” Boult said.

"I remember after the 2019 final, I said to Kane [Williamson] that we've got to be there again, come 2023 in India. It's a shame with what's going on with his knee but he'll be working as hard as he can to try and get there. It's such a great tournament… One hundred percent, I've got that desire to be out there.

We're a great one-day side. We've got some players that have traveled to India and experienced the conditions a lot, and that's what it comes down to in World Cups. You can't buy experience, and you can't replace players that have toured for however many years across these conditions,” he added.

"International cricket, I think, is going to suffer in some aspects”- Trent Boult

Trent Boult has not played in any of New Zealand's last six Test matches, and in February, despite living in Mount Maunganui with his family, he was not selected for the match against England. However, he still holds out hope that he would be given a chance to play in their home Test matches against Australia and South Africa in early 2024.

He said: "There are some big Tests coming up next year: Australia and South Africa are due to travel to New Zealand. And Test cricket is still my favorite format. I've played nearly 80 Tests and had some pretty great times in the Black Cap, but they said that, if I chose to move away from that contract, my time in it would be limited. And I'm pretty sure they've never had anyone play Test cricket that isn't contracted - so that probably makes it hard as well."

With new T20 tournaments emerging, heavily backed by IPL franchises, he predicted: "International cricket, I think, is going to suffer in some aspects. It's an interesting time for both franchise and international cricket, I reckon. The leagues - there's a lot of movement happening in that space, but the golden question is what it's going to look like in a couple of years.”