Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has expressed concerns regarding pacer Trent Boult’s contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), stating that it is “untidy” and “will open a can of worms.” Boult had given up his New Zealand contract last August to prioritize spending time with his family and participating in franchise cricket worldwide. While Boult features in the IPL and is set to play in the inaugural season of United States Major League Cricket, he was not included in NZC’s recent central contract list. However, the board has offered him a casual playing agreement.

Hesson believes that the presence of flexible contracts creates an untidy situation when dealing with a large number of contracts, potentially leading to further complications in the future. He suggests that as T20 leagues continue to grow globally, NZC might have to offer different contracts to players based on their individual circumstances. Hesson also acknowledges that while the flexi contract might work well for Boult and NZC, it raises concerns and challenges for the overall system.

Former New Zealand batter Craig McMillan shares Hesson’s displeasure with Boult’s contract, mentioning that Boult had previously made the decision to focus on T20 franchises and not international cricket. McMillan finds it difficult to reconcile Boult’s desire to have it both ways, considering his prior commitment to the T20 format. He also expresses concerns about players selectively choosing when to play for New Zealand, which could create a sense of disparity within the team.

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