New Zealand's spearhead offers swing and movement off the seam and is more than capable of knocking over a top order by himself
Born: July 22, 1989
Role: Right-hand bat, left-arm fast-medium
The undisputed spearhead of the New Zealand bowling attack, it will be Trent Boult who captain Kane Williamson will look to in search of early wickets and the potential to tear batting lineups apart, and with good reason.
The 29-year-old's wicket-taking ability upfront, even in conditions not conducive to swing bowling, was brought on by former captain Brendon McCullum's emphasis on attacking cricket and now makes him one of the most dangerous opening pacers in the competition in more friendly English conditions.
His wrist position gives him ample control despite the unpredictable nature of bowling with the new ball, and it is part of a bowling action which Boult reverted back to, under the guidance of hero Shane Bond, after suffering a stress fracture in 2009, thought to have been caused by tinkering his action which had given him success at secondary school and U19 level.
However, despite the injury, which kept him out of cricket for two years, and early troubles on the international scene, by 2015 Boult was bowling his express pace consistently in the high 130s, and was a leading figure for New Zealand in the previous World Cup, which included a phenomenal 4-44 against the West Indies.
The onus has increased on the left-armer slightly given partner Tim Southee's rather indifferent white-ball form of late, but while his fellow quick has faltered Boult's reputation has grown from strength to strength.
Despite their 4-1 drubbing in a home ODI series against India at the start of this year, Boult was the hosts' shining light as he took 12 wickets in the five-match series, which included setting up the Kiwis' only victory at Hamilton with figures of 5-21.
Boult then succeeded in taking six wickets in New Zealand's 3-0 whitewash of Bangladesh in February, and with those two opponents, along with fellow Asian sides Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, coming up in New Zealand's first four games of the World Cup, Boult will be confident of provoking further havoc.
Equal top wicket-taker alongside Mitchell Starc four years ago with 22 scalps, the Kiwi will hope to outgun his Australian rival this time around and see his side go one better in the tournament overall.
NEW ZEALAND PLAYER PROFILES
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.