Boult bemoans timing of hattrick

Trent Boult’s hattrick and a screamer of a catch from Martin Guptill would have graced any cricket match but there is no doubt that New Zealand’s World Cup hopes took a battering in Saturday’s loss to Australia.

The 86-run defeat was a second in a row for the Black Caps and although they can still qualify for the semifinals, the loss will raise questions about their ability to beat top opposition.

They had their chance after reducing Australia to 92 for five but the defending champions rallied to make 243-9 and New Zealand’s response fizzled out at 157 all out with more than six overs still available to them.

Boult’s hattrick was only the 11th in a World Cup match, and a first for a New Zealander, but the paceman was left ruing the fact that it came in Australia’s final over rather than when they were on the ropes.

“Any bowler dreams of getting three wickets in a row, but to do it out there in front of a big crowd at the home of cricket was pretty special,” Boult told reporters.

“It felt pretty good at the time, I would have liked it to be in the first over that’s for sure.

“I always want the ball, there’s no doubt about it. 90-5 and then them getting through to 240 odd, in my opinion, around that 200 mark would have been a very good score.”