New Zealand stand-in captain Tom Latham has on Monday (December 14) insisted that the hosts are only focusing on the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan at the moment despite their 2-0 clean sweep over West Indies in the recent home series.
New Zealand showed their class and defeated West Indies in both Test matches with a heavy margin to clinch the series 2-0 at home – the victory put them in contention for a place in next year's World Test Championship final, but Latham said the hosts are just taking one series at a time in their road to final.
Following the whitewash of West Indies, New Zealand moved up into third place in the World Test Championship points table and the top-two sides face each other in the final at Lord's next year.
Latham told reporters on Monday: “When you look too far ahead you can sometimes get caught out. Our focus will shift to Pakistan and whatever happens, post that we'll assess.”
The 28-year-old further added, “The goal at the start of the Test Championship was to get to that final, and if we play well we give ourselves a chance and it may be a possibility.”
Meanwhile, the hosts will now head to Auckland on Tuesday (December 15) to begin preparations for three T20I series against Pakistan followed by a two-Test series starting December 26 at Mt. Maunganui.
Well, New Zealand has to defeat Pakistan in both Test matches to remain in contention for the Test Championship final and Latham said their form and knowledge of home conditions would give them every chance to clean sweep the upcoming series.
The left-hander signed off by saying, “We have been playing some good cricket of late. In our conditions, we certainly know how to play.”
(With Reuters Inputs)
