Black Cap Trent Boult rated top ODI bowler in the world

WORLD CLASS: Trent Boult took 6-33 to help the Black Caps beat Australia and win the ODI series. PHOTO: photosport

It has been a week to remember for Tauranga's Trent Boult.

The 27-year-old pace bowler produced career-best bowling figures of 6-33 to destroy the Australian batting line-up at Hamilton's Seddon Park on Sunday.

It was a performance that earned him the Man of the Match award and clinched the series 2-0 for the Black Caps.

It also catapulted Boult back to the top spot in the ICC's one-day international player rankings.

Boult told the Bay of Plenty Times, after a refreshing surf in the ocean at Omanu yesterday, that he rates that six-wicket bag as his best in ODI cricket since he starred in the last Cricket World Cup.

"One-day cricket is a pretty interesting format, probably the friendlier one for the batters as good surfaces are made. With the fielding restrictions it is tough being a bowler, so it is nice to enjoy a little bit of success," Boult said.

"The ball is coming out relatively nicely, and the pace is pushing that 140-mark which is definitely a sign for me to know that the timing and the action are feeling good. I can just let it happen, so I am pretty happy.

"But it was not just myself but a contribution from everyone that helped me succeed and get lucky enough to get a few wickets."

Individual success is one thing, but nothing beats being part of a New Zealand team that wins a series against Australia.

It has been particularly sweet for Boult and the Black Caps after they got a severe towelling from the Aussies 3-0 in the series played in Australia in December.

"Yes, it was immensely satisfying after the tough series we had out in their backyard. It is a very tough place to go and play cricket in, and we were well and truly outplayed over there," he said.

"But to get them here in conditions that we are very familiar with and know how to succeed in, and put two good performances on and get that trophy back, has made everyone very pumped."

Another bonus was how the Black Caps performed under pressure and showed plenty of resilience under captain Kane Williamson.

"There were a few nerves, and the new guys were probably getting a bit twitchy, but they were just two really good games.

"What happened at Eden Park shows you are never out of the game and it took an amazing innings from [Marcus] Stoinis to get them back in it. There were definitely some cool heads shown at Seddon Park the other night and senior players stepping up and putting their hand up to do a job."

Boult is looking forward to the arrival of the top-class South Africans next week for what he describes as "the highlight of the summer coming up".

"It is nice to have the hit-outs against three different sides across our summer already, but they are an international quality side that is stacked with some very good players.

"It is going to be a long tour, with some good games in there including five one-dayers and three tests, and a good challenge I guess to see where we are at and see if this form that we have been carrying is good enough to beat a quality side like South Africa."