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“It comes with a bit of hard work, fitness and pride in your performance”

The delivery Trent Boult made to secure his 300th wicket was as memorable as the stage itself. He walked around the wicket at Mehidy Hasan Miraz. The ball was thrown outside the stump and swerved, speaking like only Boult can make the red cherry speak.
A first push-up followed as the crowd roared. After the first five strokes, came two big hugs. From Tim Southee, his Under-17 companion, and Ross Taylor, playing his latest test, the one who has had 19 catches in Boult slips over the years. As the crowd continued to cheer, so did his teammates, forming a circle around Boult. The referee handed him the ball, which Boult took his time to remember.

“It really means a lot,” Boult said after the day’s game, after landing his ninth five-for-one in tests to help topple Bangladesh for 126 in response to New Zealand’s 521 for 6. “I’m sure it will sink in the next few days. It comes with a bit of hard work, fitness and pride in your performance.

“It’s very special to have Timmy (Southee) with me this afternoon. Joining names like Daniel (Vettori) and Sir Richard (Hadlee) is also very special. Winning the test match and coming back to the series will be special. too. That’s definitely the goal right now. “

Boult said joining New Zealand’s 300-wicket club, which also includes Southee, made him very special. “He’s pretty proud of me. Nice to join him,” Boult said. “It’s very special to have him there this afternoon. I’m sure we can enjoy a few more wickets together. Our friendship goes back many years. I think we met towards the end of the years. under 17. We’ve had a career so far probably over ten years in the black cap. I’m also learning from him.

“I thought the way the boys started, to get a few wickets earlier, without really releasing the pressure, I guess we did what we talked about. It’s just to get them playing on the front foot and playing for each other at each end “

Trent Boult

“He has an amazing work ethic. His track record speaks for itself. It comes from a lot of tough jobsites and his desire to be better every day. It’s always a great feeling when we both take the wickets. . best memories.” Southee finished the heats with 3 for 28 to Boult 5 for 43.

Boult began the first-rate demolition of Bangladesh that day by removing Shadman Islam and Najmul Hossain Shanto, while Southee got rid of Mohammad Naim and Mominul Haque. The visitors were 11 for 4 at this point, and Boult pulled Litton Das out after tea to make it 27 for 5.

He said that while the pace and bounce on the court has helped, it’s the breeze blowing over Hagley Oval that helps swing bowlers like him and Southee.

“That’s the beauty of trial cricket. The little niceties that come with different terrains, winds,” Boult said. “The wicket obviously offers a bit of a bounce with weed on it. I thought about how the boys started out, to get a few wickets earlier, without really releasing the pressure, I guess we did what “We talked. It’s just to get them to play on the front foot and play boules for each other at each end. Only half the job was done, but it was a satisfying afternoon.”

“Usually I try to throw the ball. Get a little bit of movement in the air. The wicket offers a bit of bounce. It has good grass coverage. The wind is the most important thing for us as a bowling unit. It’s usually left to right. It looks good on me and Timmy, and then [Neil] Wagner and KJ [Kyle Jamieson] come back to do what they’re doing. “

Mohammad Isam is ESPNcricinfo’s correspondent in Bangladesh. @ isam84