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New Zealand suffered a shock exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 after failing to make it to the Super Eight. Though they have two more games to play in the group stage, back-to-back losses against Afghanistan and the West Indies put them at the bottom of the Group C table.
Both Afghanistan and the West Indies clinched three victories in a row to take their tally to six points and qualify for the Super Eight stage. Of the four groups, only Group C has its two teams for the next stage finalized, with Uganda and Papua New Guinea too suffering elimination alongside the Kiwis.
A majority of the members of the current squad of New Zealand are aged over 30. Many would be in their late thirties by the time of the next T20 World Cup and might think of retiring from the sport, or from the fast-paced 20-over format.
On that note, let’s look at three New Zealand cricketers who might have played their last T20 World Cup this season.
#3 Tim Southee
The leading wicket-taker for New Zealand in T20Is, Tim Southee might call time on his career in the 20-over format before the next edition of the World Cup. In two games this season, he picked up three wickets and showed why he could not be counted out.
Currently 35, Southee will be nearing 38 when the next edition of the T20 World Cup gets underway. While he might continue being a part of the ODI and Test squads and be a part of the 50-over World Cup and the World Test Championships, it will be difficult for Southee to cope with the demands of the 20-over format.
#2 Trent Boult
Trent Boult has been out of central contract for quite a while now. He had previously mentioned placing more focus on franchise cricket, which is why he wasn’t included in the centrally contracted players’ list.
Though he is the second-leading wicket-taker in T20Is for the BlackCaps and has been a force to be reckoned with in the 20-over format, Boult’s priorities and preferences might play a role in him taking the tough call.
Boult is nearing 33 and will be almost 35 by the time New Zealand plays the next World Cup. Hence, the age factor might also play a role.
#1 Kane Williamson
Skipper Kane Williamson has scripted several records across formats throughout his career. But he too is someone who will face the age barrier. While he has been phenomenal in the red-ball format and the ODIs as well, his form in 20-over cricket has been a matter of debate.
One of the finest players in Test cricket, Williamson might not face any problems playing the next edition of the World Test Championships or even the ODI World Cup of 2027, for that matter, but keeping up with the T20 format will be a task.
Additionally, with a majority of their squad nearing their mid-thirties, the team management must look into it and start building a team for the future. Up-and-coming players like Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Philips, and Finn Allen have shown their hunger to grab the opportunities and make the most of it, hence it is time to bring them to the forefront.
