Blackcaps bowler Trent Boult has sent a timely reminder to national selectors of his ability with the white ball, capturing wickets with consecutive balls for his Indian Premier League team.
Boult took 3/29 for Rajasthan Royals in their 57-run victory over Delhi Capitals, reducing their rivals to disarray in the opening over of their run chase, with wickets off consecutive balls.
He had opener Prithvi Shaw edging behind to wicketkeeper Sanju Samson off the third ball, then trapped Manish Pandey leg before wicket with the next delivery.
Sitting on a hat-trick at 0/2, the NZ left-armer beat the outside of edge of Rilee Rossouw's bat, but could not complete his milestone. He returned later in the inning to dismiss Lalit Yadav, clean bowled, as the Capital's last resistance fell away.
The Royals had earlier scored 199/4 off their 20 overs, with Englishman Jos Buttler clubbing 79 off 51 balls and fellow opener Yashasvi Jaiswal contributing 60 off 31.
Aussie David Warner led the Capitals chase, with 65 off 55 balls, but as his batting partners quickly departed, he could not accelerate the innings enough to challenge the target.
Boult turned down an NZ Cricket contract this year to spend more time with his family and chase professional contracts overseas, but will likely return to the national team for the World Cup in October/November.
