New Zealand Batsmen Play The Moving Ball Better Than Indian Batsmen - Monty Panesar Says Kiwis Will Have The Edge If Conditions Favour Pacers

Former England spinner Monty Panesar opines that the New Zealand team will have an advantage over Virat Kohli’s side in the WTC final if the conditions are pace-bowling friendly in Southampton.

Monty Panesar underlines that the Kiwi batsmen are better-suited to batting in conditions where the ball moves laterally as compared to the Indian counterparts. Hence, he reckons, while both teams have great and equally strong fast bowling units, it is the batsmen’s capabilities that could just determine the winner.

However, on the other hand, Monty Panesar feels, if the weather is clear and dry, then it would be the two Indian spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, who are likely to win it for the Asian giants.

“At the moment there is a lot of rain around. If the weather stays like this then it will be an interesting battle between the Indian and New Zealand seamers. The New Zealand batsman also play the moving ball better than Indian batsmen. So, that, that would be quite interesting to see if the ball is swinging and moving at some stage during the Test match, how the Indian batsmen, stand up to it compared to the New Zealand,” Monty Panesar told PTI.

“They have got a great draining system at the Ageas Bowl. Normally you see nice good hot weather. Hopefully, the game will go on for the whole four to five days. On that basis, you are looking at two spinners (Ashwin and Jadeja) from India and three seamers. If the weather is clear then India become favourites. So it depends a lot on the conditions.”

Momentum from New Zealand-England Test series crucial: Monty Panesar

Another aspect that Monty Panesar feels is going to be key is the result of the upcoming 2-Test series between New Zealand and England, which commences from June 2. The former spinner asserts that momentum after the series, whether in favour of or against Kane Williamson’s side will be of great importance going into the WTC final.

“If New Zealand do well in the next two Test matches, then the momentum is going to favour them against India. But if England can beat them, suddenly they’re going to be low on confidence and it is a good time for India to come,” the 39-year-old stated.

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