IND vs NZ Test: Williamson & co practice for Test in Kolkata; check pics

IND vs NZ Test: Kiwis practice for Test in Kolkata – The T20 series might be lost but the Kiwis aren’t leaving anything to chance when it comes to Test series. Over the last week or so, they have hit the nets for the Test series, starting November 25 in Kanpur. In Kolkata ahead of the 3rd T20, Kane Williamson, Kyle Jamieson and others hit the nets for red-ball practice. Follow IND vs NZ 3rd T20 Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.

While Trent Boult will not be available for the Test series, Tim Southee, who is leading the T20 side, will play both. Kyle Jamieson and Kane Williamson earlier pulled out of the T20 series to stay fresh for the two Tests.

In a post shared on Instagram, New Zealand cricket shared the BlackCaps’ training video with the caption, Test training in Kolkata.

IND vs NZ Test: Kane Williamson & Co practice for Test series ahead of 3rd T20 in Kolkata – Check pics

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While two different New Zealand squads are in India, the squad had joint practice sessions in Jaipur and Ranchi. Following the same pattern, they had another training in Kolkata with the Test specialists getting a hang of the red SG ball.

In the last few months, Kiwis have only played in either Dukes or Kookaburra in Tests. A part of the Test squad arrived in Jaipur days ahead of the 1st T20 to get acclimatised to the conditions. They were joined by skipper Kane Williamson and others from the T20 World Cup.

IND vs NZ Test: Kane Williamson & Co practice for Test series ahead of 3rd T20 in Kolkata – Check pics

The early and additional practice the Kiwis are putting in is to win the maiden Test series in India. Since their first tour in 1955, New Zealand have never won a Test series on Indian soil. In the last two series — in 2016 and 2012 — the Kiwis lost all the matches.

They struggled to contain India’s spin attack while their swing specialist fast bowlers could not create their magic. However, the team is resurgent and will be bolstered by their World Test Championship win and series win in England.

IND vs NZ Test: Kane Williamson & Co practice for Test series ahead of 3rd T20 in Kolkata – Check pics

However, this time, the World Test Champions are determined to win in India. Ross Taylor said he has already begun preparations to tackle the likes of Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin. He believes spin will play a big part in the series. However, Taylor refused to spill the beans on his practice methods to tackle Ashwin.

“I don’t want to give my secrets away just here (on being asked what’s his plan for R Ashwin). I don’t know what lineup India decide to go with, Axar Patel played a big role against England,” Ross Taylor in a virtual press conference.

IND vs NZ Test: Kane Williamson & Co practice for Test series ahead of 3rd T20 in Kolkata – Check pics

“Now they are going to play three spinners or two spinners, obviously Ashwin will be one of them. They are very good bowlers, especially in these conditions and how we will play them, will play a big part in how the series is gonna go,” he added.

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