New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said his team’s immediate focus is on the upcoming Test series against England, but are very excited for the “fantastic challenge” against India in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Southampton from June 18-22.
New Zealand will play England in a two-match Test series starting with the first Test on June 1 at Lord’s followed by the second and final Test starting on June 10 in Birmingham before taking on the Indian cricket team in the World Test Championship (WTC) final from June 18.
The New Zealand team has already reached England for the upcoming Test matches and is currently quarantining at the Hampshire Bowl, the location of the WTC final against Team India.
Williamson said on icc-cricket.com, “When we play against India, it has always been a fantastic challenge and so it is really exciting to be playing against them. It's really, really exciting to be involved in the final, obviously to win it would be that much better.”
He further explained, “I know the guys are really excited. Just being over here to play Test cricket is always a fantastic opportunity, but to play that third one, which is the Test Championship final, is pretty special. The first challenge, which is the first Test against a very strong side (England), is what we need to be focusing on, and I know as a group that is what we will be talking about.
At the same time, we are playing three Tests quite close together so there is in the back of your mind an eye on that (WTC final), which is a really exciting opportunity.”
New Zealand has not won a Test series in England since 1999 and Williamson said: “For us, it is a progression thing that is important. In three Tests there is every opportunity to do that. We know we are up against some really tough challenges but I know the guys are really excited to face those.”
He signed off by saying, “The first step is getting out and preparing for it. There is a lot of excitement in the camp and we always know how tough the challenge is coming over and playing against England in their own backyard. I know all the players are really excited at that challenge.”
(With IANS Inputs)
