NZ v IND 2019: Mike Hesson predicts result of India-New Zealand ODI Series

Mike Hesson feels wrist spinners will be dominating the ODI series.

Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli poses with the trophy ahead of ODI series | BCCI Twitter

The five-match India-New Zealand ODI series will kick start with the opener at Napier on Wednesday (January 23) and Mike Hesson has labeled the series as the perfect “dress rehearsal” for both sides for the ICC World Cup 2019 to be played in England and Wales.

The upcoming ODI series has all the hallmarks of becoming a classic one, as both host and India will be entering into the white-ball affair with high confidence following their respective wins in the latest engagements -Sri Lanka (3-0) and Australia (2-1) series.

While Black Caps have always presented a stiff challenge to the visiting side at home, India doesn't have so well record in New Zealand having won just 10 out of the 34 ODIs — including a 4-0 loss in the 2013-14 series, and this time, the Men in Blue will also face a much greater threat from the Trans-Tasman rivals under Kane Williamson as well.

While expecting a thrilling encounter between New Zealand and India, Hesson predicted a 3-2 win for the Black Caps against India in the five-match ODI series at home.

Hesson told CricketNext on Monday, “We have two of the top three ODI sides competing in this ODI series. In terms of preparation for World Cup, you couldn’t ask for a better dress rehearsal.”

Former New Zealand coach also singled out Ross Taylor as the biggest threat for Virat Kohli and his team in the ODI series, saying he would be the trump card for Williamson citing his form in the recent times.

He added, “Ross Taylor is averaging in the 90s in the last 12 months, he is the New Zealand big gun in the middle-order. Apart from that the all-rounders (Jimmy) Neesham, (Colin) De Grandhomme, (Doug) Bracewell and (Mitchell) Santner will all be crucial. The four of them are vying for two spots in World Cup squad. From the seam bowling point of view, who is going to back up Trent Boult is a big question. (Tim) Southee has been a good partner but he’s under a little bit of pressure, certainly needs to step up.”

Meanwhile, Hesson believes that the wrist spinners will be dominating the ODI series. He added, “Wrist spinners Sodhi, Yadav, and Chahal, as well as Todd Astle, will definitely play a big role, more than the finger in Santner who can provide the all-rounder’s role for the Black Caps. I believe both Sodhi and Astle are in the running for World Cup slots with the kind of pitches what will be on offer in England that time of the year. India with Kuldeep and Chahal have got a very good variety. The ability of the New Zealand middle-order to play the wrist spin will probably dictate the course of this ODI series.”

Commenting on the pitches for the series, the former coach noted, “In general, the pitches will be flat. For the wrist spinners, it will offer a little bit in terms of turn. There will be bounce on offer and both sides have good enough pace bowlers to challenge batsmen with bounce. It depends on whether the ball will swing. Hamilton and Maunganui is where the ball will swing, so both sides will look to attack in the powerplays when the ball is swinging.”

Hesson signed off by saying, “I think that's going to be a key contest. Also, it will be interesting to see how the New Zealand middle-order combats India's slow-ball bowlers.”

(With CricketNext/Times of India Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 22 Jan, 2019

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