New Zealand's Strongest Playing XI For The World Test Championship Final vs India

New Zealand was the first team to reach the ICC World Test Championship and have a genuine shot at claiming the ultimate prize of the longest format. New Zealand also have the chance to bury the ghosts of losing the last two 50-over World Cup finals when they take on India in the tournament-decider in Southampton. It begins on the 18th of June and the selectors have picked the squad as well.

While the Indian team has the momentum, the Black Caps hold a certain edge due to their fast bowling expertise, given the conditions. It is also worth noting that New Zealand beat India convincingly in the last two Tests between them, mainly by unsettling the India batsmen. Hence, they should fancy their chances again and the two Tests against England before the final gives them the much-needed time to acclimatize to the conditions.

Below is New Zealand’s strongest playing XI for the World Test Championship final:

Tom Latham:

Tom Latham has been one of the consistent openers in Test cricket in the last couple of years. Though Tom Latham’s statistics have not been hugely impressive, the left-handed batsman can do more than enough to see off the new ball threat. He averaged 38 in Test cricket last year and has 33 this year so far.

The limited-overs keeper-batsman made 122 runs in two Tests, averaging 40.67 against India when they visited New Zealand. Thus, having faced the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami, Latham would be aware of the threat they pose. The 29-year old is also reasonably experienced, having featured in 56 Tests.

Tom Blundell:

Tom Blundell is far more inexperienced than his opening partner Tom Latham, having featured in only ten Tests. But Blundell has two fifties and as many centuries, averaging 38.43 in those. The 30-year old has successfully replaced Jeet Raval at the top, who endured a couple of unforgettable series.

Blundell also performed admirably against India when they visited New Zealand as he made 117 runs in two Tests at 39 alongside a fifty. But the right-handed batsman fared below average against the West Indies and Pakistan in their recent home series; however, he remains a reliable opener.

Kane Williamson (c):

Captain Kane Williamson, the number one ranked Test batsman, is one of the most reliable batsmen in the longest format today. Kane Williamson could be depended upon, irrespective of the conditions, since his technique is well suited to combat the swinging and seaming pitches in England.

The elegant right-handed batsman averages a healthy 54.31 and needs to be amongst the runs for New Zealand to win the final. Along with being dependable with the bat, Williamson is also an athletic fielder and a shrewd tactician. He would want to take the Black Caps a step ahead after falling short in the finals of the last two 50-over World Cups. With New Zealand unlikely to field a specialist spinner, he could chip in for a couple of overs with his off-spin if needed.

Ross Taylor:

Ross Taylor is yet another Mr. dependable for New Zealand and is the most experienced player in their side. Ross Taylor is a veteran of 105 Tests and his 7379 runs are the highest for New Zealand, scored at an average of 45.83, alongside 19 centuries.

For Taylor, a World Test Championship crown would be a massive feather and he would be able to retire on a high. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that Taylor suffered a calf strain and has still been named for the tour. Despite that, the 37-year old remains confident of regaining fitness for the final.

Henry Nicholls:

Henry Nicholls has gone from strength to strength ever since making his Test debut back in 2016 against Australia. In only 37 Tests, Henry Nicholls has 2152 runs, averaging a healthy 43.92, with ten fifties and four tons.

The left-handed batsman also endured a couple of productive series at home against West Indies and Pakistan, slamming scores of 174 and 157 against them. But he averaged only 18 against India in two home Tests last year.

Colin de Grandhomme:

Colin de Grandhomme would probably occupy the seam-bowling all-rounder’s position, sidelining Daryl Mitchell. Colin de Grandhomme missed the last two Test series at home against West Indies and Pakistan and recently underwent an ankle surgery. He has 1185 runs in 24 Tests and 34.03 and has picked up 47 wickets.

The 34-year old’s strike rate of 81.72 in red-ball cricket proves that he could play a counter-attacking knock in case of a wobble to shift the pressure back on the opposition. Furthermore, De Grandhomme’s wobbly medium-pace bowling and nagging lines could also trouble the Indian batsmen.

BJ Watling (wk):

BJ Watling is a resilient keeper-batsman, who is a game-changer with the bat and capable of wearing down the bowlers with his rock-solid defense. BJ Watling has become New Zealand’s first-choice gloveman in Test cricket in 73 Tests; he has 3773 runs at 38.11 and is equally proficient behind the stumps.

The 35-year old also has a double hundred in red-ball cricket for the national team. Watling gives New Zealand the security and a great chance of adding more runs as the veteran remains capable of adding crucial runs.

Kyle Jamieson:

New Zealand’s latest pace sensation Kyle Jamieson has endured a dream run in Test cricket with the ball. Kyle Jamieson has 36 wickets from only six Tests at 13.28 with four five-wicket hauls. The possibility of Jamieson coming at number eight cuts the task out for India as he is capable of delivering the big hits.

Jamieson, who debuted in Test cricket against India, took nine wickets in two matches and averaged 46.50, striking at 86.11. The towering seamer not only swings the ball well, but if the pitch offers bounce, he could generate an awkward bounce to trouble the opposition.

Tim Southee:

Veteran pacer Tim Southee is one of the best new-ball bowlers in Test cricket and has forged a fearsome partnership with Trent Boult. Tim Southee could run through any batting line-up and he would fancy his chances of doing that hugely in England, where conditions are mostly tailormade for seam bowling.

In 77 Tests, the right-arm seamer has 302 scalps at 28.71 with 11 five-wicket hauls and a solitary ten-wicket haul. The 32-year old also had Indian captain Virat Kohli’s number the last time the two sides engaged in the Test series. Southee, the number six ranked Test bowler, would want to keep that going.

Trent Boult:

Trent Boult, the left-arm seamer, remains another gun bowler in New Zealand’s ranks and is supposedly the leader of the pack. Trent Boult bowls an outstanding in-swing with the new ball, which could be hugely troubling for Rohit Sharma, who has struggled against it.

The left-arm seamer has wreaked havoc on many batting line-ups along with Tim Southee. The 31-year old’s 77 Tests have yielded 281 scalps at 28.02 alongside eight fifers and a ten-wicket haul. The left-arm seamer is capable of delivering a rearguard as well and has a half-century.

Neil Wagner:

Left-arm speedster Neil Wagner is a high-quality bowler capable of delivering long spells tirelessly. Neil Wagner, the third-ranked bowler in the Test rankings, is a short-ball specialist that most batsmen find it challenging to combat. The veteran pours his heart onto his bowling that makes things happen and delivers wickets out of nowhere.

Wagner currently has 226 wickets in 51 Tests at 26.33, along with nine five-wicket hauls. The 35-year old made the likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara clueless when India visited New Zealand early in 2020. Hence, he would be eager to get back in action and fire the Kiwis to the title after a long break from Test cricket.

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