Michael Vaughan And Alastair Cook Back New Zealand To Win The WTC 2021 Final

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook have backed New Zealand to win the ICC World Test Championship final against India.

Speaking to the BBC, Michael Vaughan reckoned that the Kane Williamson-led unit will have the advantage given the fact that they have already played two Test matches in England leading into the final.

The former England captain also said that the Kiwis are better equipped to play disciplined cricket for a long period of time, a prime requisite to win a Test match.

“I fancy New Zealand. I know I’m going to get absolute pelters on social media for going against India. But the way New Zealand played in the two Tests against England, I think they’re going to do it. They are a high-class cricket team – I like every aspect of their game,” Michael Vaughan told ‘BBC’.

“New Zealand play long periods of disciplined cricket, with bat and ball. They bat with a great maturity  and read the situation perfect,” he added. “If you analyse Test cricket, generally it is the side that are able to cover all the bases the longest that wins, and New Zealand are able to do that because they have a very skilful bowling attack,” said Vaughan.

‘New Zealand are going to win’- Alastair Cook

Former England opener Alastair Cook also backed New Zealand to win the WTC final comfortably.

Cook said that New Zealand’s match-sharpness after having played a couple of high-quality Test matches in England will work in their favour.

“New Zealand are going to win. They’re two matches further into match-sharpness after the series win against England – they’re used to playing under pressure and in English conditions.” said Cook.

With Ajaz Patel impressing in the second Test against England, the Kiwis now face a conundrum as far as the balance of their playing 11 is concernedCook is hoping that the Kane Williamson-led think-tank opts for the left-arm orthodox in the starting XI even if that means, getting rid of one of their pacers.

“The only thing they’ve got to deal with is the selection question – and getting the balance of the side right. I hope they go in with Ajaz Patel, the left-arm spinner. But that means one of their big four seam bowlers – Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner or Matt Henry – who have done such a good job,” he added.

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