A Once-In-A-Lifetime Sort Of Experience For New Zealand Cricket: Tim Southee On The BlackCaps Seam Bowling Quartet

New Zealand seamer Tim Southee has hailed the versatility of the BlackCaps seam-bowling attack, adding that the relentless pressure applied by the bowlers made the difference in the recent World Test Championship final against India.

The New Zealand seam-bowling quartet of Southee, Trent Boult, Kyle Jamieson, and Neil Wagner were absolutely sensational during the World Test Championship final as they knocked over India for 217 and 170 to set up a famous win for the Kiwis.

The pressure applied by each and every New Zealand seamer was unrelenting and the Indian batsmen had no answer whatsoever to counter it.

Southee, who claimed four wickets in the second innings which included the prized scalp of Rohit Sharma, has reckoned that the current seam-bowling attack is the best in New Zealand’s Test history.

The veteran pacer added that while New Zealand has produced World-class bowlers in the past, they have never had a group of pacers who hunt in packs as they have now.

Southee also acknowledged the role that seam-bowling all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme plays in and around the seam attack.

“I guess you look at New Zealand history, you’ve had periods where you’ve had one or two good bowlers, obviously Richard Hadlee, and then Dan Vettori doing his thing, sort of chipped in with the likes of Chris Martin and a number of other guys along the way, but I guess in terms of having the four of us in one time is pretty special. Not only the four of us but also the work de Grandhomme does in and around the pace bowlers as well, and also Matt Henry has chipped in during that England series as well, so I think just to have four of us, three of us with an excess of 200 Test wickets, is pretty special, and probably a once-in-a-lifetime sort of experience for New Zealand cricket,” Southee told ESPNCricinfo.

The Kiwi seamer hoped that the current pace-bowling quartet will inspire the kids to take up the sport wanting to be a bowler like them.

He further added that the quartet is looking forward to doing good things for the side in the forthcoming days.

“So giving a few kids around New Zealand the inspiration to grow up and want to be bowlers rather than just batters, so yeah, it’s been an absolute pleasure to be a part of, and hopefully we can continue to do great things for this side in the years to come,” added Southee.

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