Blackcaps bowler Trent Boult has added to his upcoming diet of Twenty20 cricket, signing on to join Australia's Big Bash League (BBL).
Boult, 33, opted out of his New Zealand Cricket contract earlier this month, citing the desire to spend more time with family, away from national duty.
And as the BBL implements a player draft for its upcoming 2022/23 season, Boult is one of 12 overseas stars placed in the platinum category, and will earn more than $350,000 - should he be picked up by one of the eight franchises.
Aside from playing in Australia, Boult has also signed on to join the new UAE-based International League Twenty20 (ILT20) tournament, with Mumbai Indians Emirates.
But the dates of the ILT20 clash with those of the Big Bash, which would potentially limit Boult's involvement in Australia, beginning in early January.
Boult's release from his NZ Cricket contract will see him take a "reduced role" for the Blackcaps, NZ Cricket chief executive David White said.
In particular, the dates of the BBL and ILT20 will almost certainly rule Boult out of playing for the Blackcaps when they tour Pakistan in December and January, with two tests and three ODIs.
Boult is also contracted to Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League, which could potentially see him playing in Twenty20 leagues through to the end of May, with a new competition in South Africa also preparing to launch at the start of 2023.
All six franchises of the new South African competition are also owned by Indian Premier League sides.
Australia's BBL draft will take place on August 28, with the tournament to run from December 13 to February 4.
Boult played a starring role for the Blackcaps in their 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies, taking eight wickets across the three matches, but his future involvement is now uncertain after giving up his national contract.
Former Blackcaps Colin Munro and Todd Astle are the only other New Zealanders to have so far declared for the BBL draft.
