By Joel Ford The speed gun doesn't lie - Trent Boult is the fastest secondary school bowler in the country. The 17-year-old bowled at 129km/h to win the National Bank Fast Bowling challenge in Auckland yesterday. Conditions at Eden Park were less than ideal but that didn't stop him from doing his thing. ``Therain was pouring down so I'm surprised no one got injured. I just bowled as fast as I could and it worked,'' he said. Boult, a New Zealand under-19 representative, said he was a little surprised to win the competition as there were a few quicker bowlers in the qualifying rounds. The second of the three balls he bowled in the final was the fastest, winning him top prize. He was awarded $500, an all-expenses paid analysis session with New Zealand Cricket and an offer of a one-year player sponsorship arrangement with Aero. He also took home official bragging rights. ``It's cool to know you're recognised as one of the quickest bowlers in New Zealand. It's a great feeling,'' he said. New Zealand Cricket head bowling coach Dayle Hadlee said Boult's bowling speed was similar to that of medium pacer Jacob Oram. ``In men's standards it's not high but for young boys who are say 16 or 17 years old, it's quite impressive.'' Boult, who met idol Shane Bond and other members of the Black Caps yesterday before they flew out to the World Cup in the Caribbean, has set his sights on becoming one of in New Zealand Cricket's household names. ``I want to be the best bowler in New Zealand _ even the world as well,'' he said. ``You've got to aim high, don't you?'' with NZ Herald
