Last Updated on 1 year ago by Charbel Coorey
Opinion: NZ should go with this attack for WTC Final | Looking at the bowling combination New Zealand should go with for the WTC Final
We’re just a few days away from the grand finale of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand at Rose Bowl, Southampton.
The build-up to the all-important final has already bought a lot of excitement among the fans. India have started with their preparations while New Zealand are coming off a historic series win over England. Both the camps are travelling with a big contingent and have few selection dilemmas which they need to fix before taking the field on June 18.
On Tuesday (June 15), New Zealand announced a strong-looking 15-member squad which cleared many things. Ajaz Patel has been named as the specialist spinner in the squad after his impressive show in the second Test against England at Edgbaston. Mitchell Santner, the other spinning option, has been left out of the 15-man squad. Colin de Grandhomme’s return spiced up the debate for the final XI as he missed out on the Edgbaston Test.
Kane Williamson-led New Zealand’s batting is pretty much sorted with no changes expected in the top 6. The race is between the bowlers to make the final cut. New Zealand have the luxury of quality seam bowling options in Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner, Matt Henry, and with the addition of Ajaz as a front line spinning option there could well be a possibility that New Zealand have to rechalk their selection plans for the epic final.
Considering the conditions which will be on offer in Southampton, let us have a look at the best bowling attack for New Zealand in the WTC final.
Tim Southee
The veteran fast-bowler is the leader of New Zealand’s bowling attack. Southee is one of the best bowlers when the ball is moving and in seam-friendly English conditions, he is certainly going to pose a huge challenge to the Indian batting group. The last time he bowled in whites he bagged a five-wicket haul at the home of cricket, Lord’s. New Zealand would be hoping for big returns from their most experienced bowler in the group. He’s been the most successful bowler for his nation in the WTC cycle as he picked 51 wickets in only 10 matches at an average of 20.66. His battle against Kohli in particular will be key.
Trent Boult
Southee’s partner in crime, Trent Boult, brings variety into the attack with his left-arm angle. The ability to move the new ball at a good pace is what Boult brings to this side with lots of international cricket experience behind his back. The left-arm pacers have always been a nightmare for the Indian batsmen, irrespective of what the format is. Trent Boult’s swinging deliveries against the top 5 right-hand batsmen of the Indian eleven, – especially Rohit Sharma – will be a sight to watch for all the fans around the world.
Kyle Jamieson
Jamieson has been the find for New Zealand since his Test debut in 2020. He has 39 scalps in seven Tests at a staggering average of 15.15, including four 5-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket haul. He adds value with the bat as well and can get you quick runs in the lower order. Jamieson can swing it both ways and with the towering height being an advantage of his, he can cause some serious damage to a strong Indian team. There are no doubts whatsoever that Jamieson will be the third seamer of the team and is a sure starter alongside Southee and Boult for the Blackcaps on June 18.
Neil Wagner
It all comes down to the selection of the fourth seam bowling option and it is going to be a tough decision for New Zealand management. Matt Henry was the man of the match in the last Test at Edgbaston but he’s unlikely to get a nod ahead of Neil Wagner.
Wagner has been the workhorse for New Zealand. The Test specialist is one of the rare breeds of bowlers who can give 9-11 overs in one spell. He’s one kind of bowler every captain wants in his team, as he brings something extra to this New Zealand side. The left-arm pacer is a strong character and has shown that he has the skills to get wickets with Dukes. His tried-and-tested method is going short at the batsman and can certainly turn the tides in the blink of an eye. He has shown in the second Test in Birmingham that he can swing the ball and operate effectively in a more conventional role, too.
Ajaz Patel
The lone spinner in New Zealand’s 15-man group for the WTC final is expected to make the cut due to the nature of the Southampton wicket. Southampton in the last few years has offered dry wickets which assist the spinners and if the trend continues, then Ajaz will hold on to his place in the XI.
Ajaz is coming off a good game time at Edgbaston where he bagged a few wickets, and this very performance took him ahead of Mitchell Santner in the race to make it to the WTC Final squad. The Indian batsmen have never faced Ajaz and with five right-handers set to be in India’s top 5, the Blackcaps first-choice spinner could well present a fresh challenge to Virat Kohli’s men if the pitch plays true to character.
Possible Swaps:
Colin de Grandhomme makes their batting order more formidable and is relentless with the ball in seam-friendly conditions. He can play the role of the fourth seamer, if the track is doing a bit too much then he can come in for Ajaz Patel or Neil Wagner.
Chances of precipitation are there for the one-off final and this could well tempt the Kiwis to back their traditional strength and play both Wagner and de Grandhomme, thus leaving out Ajaz Patel.
Predicted playing XI of NZ for WTC Final:
1. Devon Conway, 2. Tom Latham, 3. Kane Williamson, 4. Ross Taylor, 5. Henry Nicholls, 6. BJ Watling, 7. Kyle Jamieson, 8. Ajaz Patel, 9. Tim Southee, 10. Neil Wagner, 11. Trent Boult.
