Ahead of the big fanfare Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at Mount Maunganui, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson on Thursday (December 24) insisted that the host will have to be more focused and at their best in order to beat the tourists in the upcoming two-Test home series.
It is being said that over 5000 tickets have been sold for the first day of the first Boxing Day Test of the two-match Test series at Bay Oval – which is set to host its second-ever Test match from December 26.
Recently, New Zealand jumped to the second spot in the ICC Test rankings while third in the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) points table after thrashing West Indies 2-0 in the home series.
Williamson’s team looks among top favorites to qualify for the World Test Championship final to be played in June 2021 at Lord's and a 2-0 series sweep against Pakistan can make their chances even stronger for the qualification.
However, the captain has insisted that they aren’t looking too far, focusing on doing their best in each and every coming opportunity.
As per ESPNCricinfo, Kane Williamson said: “I mean, I think the context of that is great for the game in general, having the Test Championship. But our focus as it was in the last couple of Tests is to basically start again and adapt to the conditions that we're going to have.”
He added, “Obviously, four different surfaces, different opposition. We know how good Pakistan is and we're going to have to be at our best starting from that first day here in the Mount and make sure we are really clear in how it is we want to operate and basically try and adjust as quickly as possible.”
The skipper signed off by saying, “So, it’s coming back to those basics for us and basically playing what is in front of us rather than getting too carried away with potential eventual things, who knows.”
(With ANI Inputs)
