New Zealand speedster Trent Boult feels his team is capable of creating history by winning the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) title later this month.
The Kiwis are due to face Team India in the WTC final in Southampton from June 18-22.
“The way the group has travelled and performed around New Zealand and the world, the boys are in a great place to hopefully create a bit of history,” Boult told reporters at the Bay Oval, as quoted by PTI.
“Everything is feeling good with what lies ahead, a big stage for the World Test Championship final, and hopefully I can get over there and be part of that second Test (against England) as well,” he added.
His team might have qualified for the WTC final, but Boult is still in dilemma over the qualification process.
“I’ve taken a while to understand the process with qualifying, how everything works with the points, still think no one knows how that actually works, but to get into that final the excitement is ramping up now,” he said.
Commenting on the Dukes ball, which will be used for the WTC final, the left-arm pacer said: “I haven’t had too much experience with it, played a handful of Tests over in England. It reacts a lot differently, then you have to weigh in all these different venues.”
“I’m sure the boys are very excited to get it in their hands and see it move around. Hopefully we can entertain you a little bit over the next wee while.”
Before the WTC final, New Zealand will play England in two Tests at Lord’s (June 2-6) and Edgbaston (June 10-14).
Boult, who has 281 wickets to his name from 71 Test, will be unavailable for the opening Test as he has opted to spend time with his family after the suspension of the IPL 2021 due to COVID-19.
However, the seamer, who will leave for the UK on Thursday, is hopeful of playing the second Test.
“Once I step foot in the UK, get that chance to smell the English fresh air and see the ball move around a little bit I’ll definitely be excited,” he said.
Last week, BCCI announced that the remaining 31 games of IPL 2021 will be held in UAE in the September-October window and Boult is optimistic about turning up for the second phase of the cash-rich league.
“Looks like it’s moving forward to the UAE where it ran very nicely last year. So if I get the chance I’ll be looking forward to finishing that campaign off nicely,” Boult remarked.
“Things escalated pretty quickly over there. I was very grateful to get that opportunity in the IPL to play on that stage,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
