4 Reasons Why New Zealand Can Win The ICC World Test Championship Final

India and New Zealand will lock horns in ICC World Test Championship Final next month. The much-awaited final will be played in England at Rose Bowl Cricket Stadium in Southampton from June 18, 2021. India played 6 bilateral series while New Zealand played 5 bilateral series before finalizing their berth in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

India won 12 matches and lost 4 matches during the tournament while 1 ended in a draw. On the other hand, New Zealand won 7 matches and lost 4 during the tournament. Both the teams topped the points table, in the end, to make their way for the final. A total of 9 teams were part of the ICC World Test Championship, which started in 2019.

India and New Zealand will not get the home advantage during the ICC World Test Championship final as England is a neutral venue. New Zealand is a strong team to defeat and India will face many challenges to lift the title. Here we take a look at 4 reasons why New Zealand can win the ICC World Test Championship final.

4 Reasons Why New Zealand Can Win The ICC World Test Championship Final

Better Record Against India

New Zealand have a very great record against India in Tests. Both the teams have played 59 Test matches so far out of which India have won 21 while New Zealand have won 12. There were 26 Test matches that ended in a draw. Although India have won more matches in the head-to-head encounters, most of India’s victories have come on home soil. India have won 16 matches at home and lost 2. Therefore, there were only 5 matches when India managed to defeat New Zealand on the latter’s home soil.

New Zealand have won 10 matches and lost 5 on their home soil against India. Since the ICC World Test Championship final will be played at a neutral venue, India will not have the home advantage over New Zealand. During the ICC World Test Championship, India faced New Zealand in two Test matches and lost both games by a huge margin. India lost the first match by 10 wickets and 2nd match by 7 wickets. Therefore, New Zealand have a great record against India in Tests so this can work in their favour in the ICC World Test Championship final.

Favourable Conditions In England

Cricket stadiums in England are far more similar to New Zealand than that of India. The ICC World Test Championship final match will be played at England’s Rose Bowl cricket stadium in Southampton. Pitches and weather in England offer a good amount of swing and pace, which help the fast bowlers. These conditions are very similar to that of New Zealand grounds.

On the other hand, these conditions are totally opposite to Indian grounds where spinners enjoy the great support and pace bowlers suffer due to dew and other factors. Therefore, New Zealand will find home-like conditions in England while India will have to adapt to the conditions. This is another reason why New Zealand can defeat India in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.

Deadly Pace Attack

Pacers will play a big role in ICC World Test Championship final as conditions in England are more expected to favour pace bowlers. While India’s strength is the spin attack, New Zealand rely more on their pacers. The Kane Williamson-led side has a deadly pace attack in the team with pacers like Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner.

Tim Southee is an experienced pacer who is also the 5th highest wicket-taker in World Test Championship so far with 51 wickets in 20 innings. Pacer Kyle Jamieson has also bowled brilliantly in the tournament with 36 wickets in 12 innings. Trent Boult has scalped 34 wickets in 18 innings. With their deadly pace attack, New Zealand have an upper hand over India.

Huge Batting Depth

New Zealand have a huge batting depth as their tailenders also have the ability to bat. India’s batting strength lies at the top and middle-order. The lower-order of the Indian team can’t be trusted for piling runs. However, New Zealand’s tailenders can also score big. Kyle Jamieson and Trent Boult showcased during the two-match Test series against India that they have the ability to bat well.

Pacer Jamieson had scored 44 and 49 runs in two Test matches against India. Also, Boult smashed 38 runs in one match. Moreover, even the no. 7 batsman Colin de Grandhomme is also a consistent batsman in the New Zealand squad. Therefore, huge batting depth is another reason that can help New Zealand to defeat India in the ICC World Test Championship final.