Henry Nicholls
Henry Nicholls. Image-Sky Sports

Left-handed batsman Henry Nicholls believes that the New Zealand batters need to be circumspect while coming up against the two Indian spinners – Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin – in the World Test Championship final, which is to be played in Southampton from June 18th.

He says that while the Indian pace bowling attack neutralizes that of the Kiwis, it is Virat Kohli’s deadly spin-twin combination that will provide an extra threat to them.

Henry Nicholls, who has been in sublime form of late with 2 hundreds and a fifty in his last 3 Tests, talked about how they emulated the rough patches by pouring dry kitty litter on the track to prepare for the spinners.

R Ashwin And Ravindra Jadeja
R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Image-PTI

“India have a very good seam attack and also have the experienced spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja. They have been consistent in all parts of the world (of late) and bring quality (to attack),” Henry Nicholls told PTI.

“Mohammed Shami along with Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma have proven their quality over the years which is similar to our seamers (Tren Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner) on whom we really pride ourselves on.

“So if you are facing that kind of a line-up, it’s an exciting challenge and as a group we are expecting it to be tough but also looking forward to the challenge. 

“That was something that we experimented in the camp before we came over to UK. You managed to get some more turn and get some practice. So playing at a neutral venue, we need to check what the wickets will be like there. Also the guile of Ashwin and Ravi Jadeja is something that we need to be prepared for,” he added.

Exciting challenge as we will be playing a Test match at a neutral venue: Henry Nicholls

Henry Nicholls
Henry Nicholls. (Credits: Twitter)

Henry Nicholls was part of the side that beat India 2-0 at home last year, however, he says that the WTC final would be a new and different challenge – an exciting one for the players involved as the top two teams will clash at a neutral venue.

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Before taking on India, the Black Caps will challenge hosts England for a 2-Test series starting June 2.

“It’s an exciting challenge as finally we will be playing a Test match at a neutral venue. So that for both sides kind of levels the playing field.

“We beat them 2-0 a season back (2019-20). But we know and accept that it’s a different challenge but as a group we take a lot of confidence from that series win against India. Obviously, Number one and two playing the final is a challenge too,” the southpaw futher stated.

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