Boult is excited about the challenge of leading from the front

Most quick bowlers have to wait years and constantly prove themselves before being established as the leader of their country’s pace attack, but New Zealand’s Trent Boult has been thrust into that position after having played only 10 Tests.

Boult admitted that even though he was accustomed to bowling with the new ball, he still felt nervous and uneasy having been put in a position where the cricketing world was constantly analysing his every move.

Boult is now looking to build a solid partnership with fellow seamers Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee and Chris Martin, who does not have a lot of years left, and re-establish New Zealand’s reputation in the sport.

“I’m only nine or 10 Tests in but to be leading the attack is pretty special and something I feel quite good about,” Boult said. “I’ve grown a lot and although it’s only a handful of international fixtures I’ve made pretty big strides in developing as a bowler. I’m not looking too far ahead but I’ve got that job with the new ball which I love.

“I’ve opened the bowling a few times although Tim or whoever else has been there in the past. I don’t feel any more pressure than normal or any more emphasis that I’ve got to be the man to do the job. We’ve got a good bowling unit that works well together and as a long as we do our jobs and back each other up we’re going to continue to be pretty successful.”

The 23-year-old has made an excellent start to his Test career having taken 30 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of 31.43 and stated that he enjoys bowling with an experienced player like Martin and learning whatever he can from Bracewell and Southee.

“It’s definitely a collective thing,” Boult added. “We’re lucky to be three pretty good mates and we played a lot of cricket together growing up. Tim’s very good, he’s injured but I’m still talking to him and bouncing ideas off him back in New Zealand. He’s played a lot of cricket and I really respect the way he thinks. He’s tactically a pretty smart cricketer.

“We work together. I don’t think you can say ‘this is how I do it, this is the best way’. It’s selfish thinking you’re going to do it on your own and I think it’s pretty important that you work as a group.”

Having just been whitewashed 2-0 by South Africa in their recent Test series, New Zealand’s horror run in the longer format has become a thorn in their side and has seen them free fall down the rankings as well.

Boult pointed out that New Zealand’s 45 all out, which is their third lowest Test total in history, during the first Test in Cape Town was the most embarrassing part of the series and he urged his team-mates to start firing on all cylinders in their upcoming series against England.

“It’s hard with that score we had on the board,” Boult said. “Maybe a couple of guys were guilty of going out there searching a bit and trying to swing the game and get wickets quickly. I don’t think that’s the way to go.

“We need to stick to our plans and what we’ve been talking about, and that’s being patient and trying to outlast our opponents. Although the intensity has been high at training, it’s all about keeping it simple and not getting too far ahead of ourselves.”