MI Cape Town new-ball bowler Trent Boult is hoping for a much happier outing when he returns to Newlands today for the SA20 derby against Paarl Royals.
Boult’s only ever appearance under the watch of Table Mountain was a decade ago when he was part of the New Zealand team that hit its lowest ever point by being bowled out for just 45 in first innings of the New Year Test.
Much water has since flowed under the bridge with Boult and the Black Caps going on to achieve much success.
But that too is part of Boult’s past as he now enjoys life as a T20 freelancer showcasing his skills for various franchises around the world.
It has primarily been for Mumbai Indians though with the Cape Town SA20 adventure now Boult’s third association with the mega franchise outside of the IPL.
“Yeah, a decision that I obviously made off my own back nearly three years ago now. It's quite phenomenal how quickly time has gone by. I've counted myself very lucky to have the opportunities I've had put in front of me,” Boult said.
“As a cricketer, as a guy, I've just tried to make the most of those opportunities. I've got three young kids, which I'm sure you'll hear running around at some point. But yeah, a decision I didn't take lightly but just tried to make the most of those opportunities.
“The ones that have been put in front of me have been too good to say no to and I'm loving my opportunities to play the game that's given me so much. It's been good fun.”
Boult’s future international prospects may look slim after the 35-year-old was overlooked for the Black Caps’ ICC Champions Trophy squad announced this weekend, but that does not mean he has lost any of the skill and swing that had earned him the reputation of one the best new-ball white bowlers in the world.
It was certainly on full display in MI Cape Town’s opening victory over Sunrisers Eastern Cape when he picked up the big wicket of England’s Test opener Zak Crawley.
Boult followed it up by also dismissing his former Kiwi teammate Devon Conway when MICT met Joburg Super Kings at the Wanderers on Saturday evening.
Another blockbuster head-on clash is looming on Monday evening with Boult now setting his sights on former England captain and Paarl Royals opener Joe Root.
“Do I have something special for him (Root)? Yes, probably. (Laughs),” Boult said.
“No, no. Joe is a guy that I've played a lot of cricket against as well as a couple of other players in that team.
“We had a little practice game, warm-up game against them a few days back and they're a quality side.
“Obviously, they had a good start to the tournament as well so there’s going to be all to play for.”
Boult’s focus may have though to switch to Root’s teenage opening partner Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
The 18-year-old burst on to the SA20 scene by smashing 97 off just 57 balls on debut, whilst sharing a 134-run opening partnership to set up a comfortable nine-wicket victory for the Royals over the Sunrisers.
Root was certainly impressed by the teenager.
“He was phenomenal. In the warm-up games we had already seen first-hand what he is capable of doing, but to transfer that into the first game, to dominate some high quality bowlers who have huge amount of experience in this format was scintillating to watch,” Root said.
“He made my job a lot easier. Hopefully he can build on that for the rest of the tournament.