ICC WTC Final, Ind vs NZ: In 29 days time, India and New Zealand will clash in the inaugural World Test Championship final in Southampton. Former Indian cricketer Ashish Nehra believes that the five-day match will be a contest between the bowling attack of the two teams and he put his money on Virat Kohli and boys. He also picked his best bowling combination for WTC Final.
ICC WTC Final, Ind vs NZ: England conditions favour seamers
In English conditions, the fast bowlers from both teams will play a crucial role in deciding the result of the match, scheduled from June 18 to 22.
“Of course, both India and New Zealand have very good fast bowlers. But if you look at our bowlers, (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami can bowl well even on flatter decks.
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“New Zealand’s attack, meanwhile, has Trent Boult and Neil Wagner. Boult is a class bowler, while Wagner too is experienced. However, I am not sure how effective will Tim Southee be where there is not enough swing on offer.
“Kyle Jamieson is a good prospect, but he does need a little more experience,” the former left-arm quick, who had 44 wickets in 17 Tests and 157 scalps from 120 ODIs,” Nehra told The Telegraph.
The former Indian pacer believes that India has an edge over their New Zealand rivals. Bumrah, Shami and Ishant Sharma are three prime speedsters in the Indian camp. Especially Ishant, who has played 100 Tests, adds an extra sheen to India’s pace bowling attack.
“Going back to our team, not just Bumrah and Shami but even Ishant (Sharma) is there. And looking at what he has achieved having played 100 Test matches, his presence is another strong point for India,” Nehra said
ICC WTC Final, Ind vs NZ: What will be India’s bowling combination?
According to Nehra, India should go for three pacers and two spinners if the conditions at the Ageas Bowl are not loaded in favour of fast bowling. If the latter comes true, Nehra picks Mohammed Siraj as the extra seamer.
“If you come across a green top, then you certainly can think of including an extra pacer, which I feel should be Mohammed Siraj given how well he has been bowling,” he said.
“But otherwise, I think the bowling attack should be Ishant, Bumrah and Shami as the three fast bowlers, with (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja as the spinners.
“If Jadeja and Ashwin are in the XI, the team will have all bases covered in terms of bowling,” Nehra explained.
