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Trent Boult’s Braces Blunder Before Test Debut

New Zealand pace spearhead Trent Boult recently shared a humorous anecdote from the eve of his Test debut in 2011. Facing a potential call-up to play against Australia, Boult revealed he had to make a last-minute dash to the orthodontist to remove his braces, fearing he couldn’t travel with them. This quirky detail offers a glimpse into the unexpected hurdles even professional athletes encounter.

A Braced Beginning: Boult’s Pre-Debut Dilemma

Trent Boult’s journey to his Test debut against Australia in Hobart in 2011 was almost derailed by an orthodontic appliance. Just a week before his selection, Boult found himself with braces, a situation he quickly realised was incompatible with an international cricket tour.

  • Boult recalled telling his orthodontist, “I can’t go to Australia with a set of braces on my teeth.” This urgent request led to a swift removal of his dental work, ensuring he was ready for his maiden Test appearance.

The Unforgettable Debut and Aussie Welcome

Boult’s Test debut was a memorable one, not just for the braces saga, but also for the pulsating match itself and a classic Australian welcome.

  • New Zealand secured a thrilling seven-run victory over Australia in Hobart, a significant win for the Black Caps.
  • At just 22 years old, Boult faced a traditional Australian sledging upon walking out to bat. He distinctly remembered Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin quipping, “mate, does your mother know where you are?” This light-hearted jab highlighted the intense yet often humorous atmosphere of Test cricket.

A Stellar Career Since

Boult’s debut came as a late inclusion for an injured Daniel Vettori, forming an all-seam attack for New Zealand. Despite losing the first Test, the Black Caps bounced back strongly to win the second. Since then, Boult has established himself as one of New Zealand’s premier fast bowlers.

  • He currently boasts 267 wickets from 67 Tests.
  • Boult stands fourth on New Zealand’s all-time list of Test wicket-takers, behind cricketing legends Richard Hadlee (431), Daniel Vettori (361), and Tim Southee (284).

This amusing pre-debut story adds a unique chapter to the career of one of New Zealand’s most celebrated cricketers.

Sources

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Dr. Adriana Perez

BDS (Ven/Esp) | MDS-Orth (Arg)
 
Dr. Adriana Perez grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. She is one of the registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland.

 

In 2008, Adriana graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Santa Maria University in Caracas, Venezuela. After graduation, she worked in Venezuela in private practice, at the Orthopaedic Children’s Hospital (Dentistry/Orthodontics unit), and as a lecturer in the National Experimental University of the Armed Forces.

In the year 2011, Adriana moved to Argentina to specialise, gaining the Specialist Orthodontist degree from the University of Buenos Aires in 2013. While in Argentina, she worked as a part-time lecturer at the Orthodontics Department in the University of Buenos Aires, private practice, and at the Craniofacial Unit in the Paediatric Hospital Garrahan, looking after cleft lip new-born, children, and adolescent patients.

Adriana is a Spanish speaker. On her spare time she likes going to the beach, travelling, socialising with friends, playing video games, cooking, and going to the gym.

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Orthodontist Adriana Perez

Dr. Azza Al-Ani

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Dr Azza Al-Ani, grew up in Christchurch, is a registered specialist orthodontist working at Shakespeare Orthodontics in Auckland. You can find her at one of the clinics in the city, or at their Takapuna clinic on the North Shore. 

In 2009, Azza graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery with Credit from the University of Otago.

She worked as a dental house surgeon at Auckland, Greenlane and Middlemore Hospitals; and as a dental officer at Sydney’s Westmead Hospital.

In 2012, she completed the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (RACDS) primary examinations.

Before commencing her specialist training, she held a part-time Professional Practice Fellow position at the Faculty of Dentistry, while working as a dentist in private practice.

In 2016, Azza graduated from the University of Otago with a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry in Orthodontics. She passed examinations to gain memberships into the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons and the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

She is also certified with the Australasian Orthodontic Board, and is a member of the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, and the New Zealand Dental Association.

Azza’s area of research interest is hypodontia.
She has presented about this topic at the European Orthodontic Society Congress, and at the International Association Dental Research ANZ Scientific Meeting, and has been involved in the publication of numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Outside of work, Azza loves spending time with her son and Mo (her husband), socialising with family and friends, overseas travel, and tries to keep up with Mo mountain biking.

Dr. Mo Al-Dujaili

BDS | DClinDent | MRACDS-Orth | MOrthRCSEd

Mo is a Specialist Orthodontist. He grew up in both New Zealand and Australia.

After completing a year in Health Sciences, and later physiotherapy, he qualified as a dentist in New Zealand. He spent the next four years working alongside his father in Sydney where he practised general dentistry. Mo then returned to Dunedin to specialise, gaining his specialist degree – Clinical Doctorate in Orthodontics from the University of Otago.

During the three years of specialist training, Mo had the privilege of learning from the best. The combined clinical and academic acumen of professors, doctors and staff provided an invaluable experience.

Meanwhile, Mo published and presented significant research and clinical cases at both national and international forums, including the International Association of Dental Research, the Australasian Begg Society of Orthodontics, the European Orthodontic Society and the New Zealand Dental Association conference.

A firm believer in maintaining high clinical standards, Mo successfully completed further examinations to become affiliated with the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (Sydney).

Mo is currently a part time senior lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, a Fellow of the World Federation of Orthodontists and also holds professional memberships with the New Zealand Association of Orthodontists, the New Zealand Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

He has also been involved in the supervising and lecturing of students at the Auckland University of Technology.

Outside of work, Mo enjoys the precious time with his young family and the outdoors. He especially loves mountain biking, running, fishing, diving and, in winter, snowboarding.

Traveling along with his best friend and wife (Azza) around the world has also been a big part of Mo’s life. Mo is primarily based in Shakespeare Orthodontic’s city clinics and on the North Shore.

 
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