ICC WTC Final: Sir Richard Hadlee Reckons Better Preparation And Adapting To Conditions Quickly Are Crucial

Former New Zealand legend Sir Richard Hadlee has opined on the victorious team between India and New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton next month. The two sides will lock horns beginning on the 18th of June to claim the ultimate prize in Test cricket. Sir Richard Hadlee thinks that the team better prepared and adapts to the conditions better will win.

India are currently leading the ICC World Test Championship’s points table with 520 points in their kitty, followed by New Zealand, who are 100 points away. Having beaten England and Australia in their last two Test series, Virat Kohli’s men are high on confidence and have momentum on their side. But New Zealand have enjoyed an upper hand over India in the recent past.

The Black Caps stunned the men in blue in the 2019 World Cup semi-final in Manchester and scored a 2-0 victory when India visited New Zealand to play two Tests last year. Kane Williamson’s men will also play a couple of Tests against England before the decider, enabling them to acclimatize to the conditions probably better than their opposition.

Sir Richard Hadlee commented that the team better prepared and one who acclimatizes to the conditions better will thrive in the decider. The 86-Test veteran feels that the weather might play a crucial role and the dukes ball will favour genuine swing bowlers – a department in which he believes New Zealand are well equipped. Hadlee remarked that if the ball seams in off the pitch, both the batting line-ups will face a challenge.

“It all comes down as to who is better prepared and who adapts better to the English conditions the quickest. The weather may also play a part and if it is cold that will favour New Zealand. The Duke ball will suit both team’s fast bowlers especially the genuine swing bowlers and the Kiwis are well served in that department with Southee, Boult and Jamieson. If the ball seams around off the pitch, batsmen in both teams will be challenged,” Sir Richard Hadlee said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

It is too difficult to call a winner at this stage: Sir Richard Hadlee

Simultaenously, Sir Richard Hadlee has a hard time picking a winner since both teams are strong and should be an exciting game. The 69-year old said that even though it is the final both sides would be unfazed as it is a neutral ground and no outfits hold the home advantage.

“Both teams have high-class batsmen so it will be an interesting game to watch. It is too difficult to call a winner at this stage. The Test Championship is a one-off game. Yes, it is a final, but I don’t think either team will be too fazed about it. It is a neutral ground with no home team advantage,” he added.

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