On comeback from injury during the first Test in Wellington, starting February 21, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult hopes to give it his all in the much-anticipated tussle with India captain Virat Kohli, who will also be determined to make up for a slightly indifferent phase in recent times with a lot of runs in the next two weeks.
While Kohli endured a rare dip in performances during the limited-overs leg of the series, Boult has only just recovered from the broken hand that ruled him out of the game since midway through the tour of Australia in December-January.
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"That's personally why I play the game, to get guys like that (Kohli) out and test myself against them, so I can't wait to get stuck in. But he's an exceptional player. Everyone knows how great he is," PTI quoted the 30-year-old left-arm speedster as saying.
The Basin Reserve is known for conditions where fast bowlers enjoy a lot of swing and seam movement in the early part of the Test before things become significantly better for the batsmen.
"I'm preparing for a solid wicket," Boult said. "It generally is very good here (Wellington) and goes the full distance (five days). I do enjoy playing here, the history that's involved, and it's going to be an exciting week building up. I can't wait to get out there."
The pacer said it was quite frustrating to watch the Kiwis get whitewashed 5-0 in the T20Is and equally exciting to see them turn the tables on the visitors in the ODI series. "I think it is what it is. I have just got to put the last six weeks or so behind me and just back myself to get out there and do my thing," he said. "I was pushing in off the long run. I think a couple of the clubbies from Taupo really enjoyed that. It was a good afternoon."
"Having some time away from the game and having my second son a couple of weeks ago came at quite a good time," Boult added. "I am hungry to be here and can't wait to get back in the white and get the red ball moving around."
(Inputs from PTI)
