Former Australian cricketer Brett Lee believes that the Southampton conditions will suit New Zealand more than India in the eagerly-awaited ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final to be played from June 18-22 at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton in England.
Lee has further pointed out that New Zealand plays in similar conditions at their home like the English conditions and it will be an advantage for the Kiwis over Team India when they will lock horns against each other World Test Championship (WTC) Final in Southampton.
The former Aussie also feels New Zealand players are more accustomed to conditions favorable for fast bowling and swing bowling and whoever team bowls best will win the WTC 2021 Final in England.
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Lee told the ICC's official website: “I think it is pretty evenly matched there. I am thinking, though, with the experience of New Zealand because they have bowled in conditions which are similar back home...it may be conducive to fast bowling, to swing bowling. So that is where I think that the Kiwis might have an advantage purely from that fact.”
He added, “Now from a batting point of view, both sides have got batsmen that can play against swing bowling. But I think it comes down to bowling. I think whichever team bowls best will win the final.”
Lee also said the battle between the captains Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson will be enthralling to watch out in the WTC Final and interesting to see will bring to the table in Southampton.
The legendary pacer further added, “Kane is a lot more conservative without being boring. He has got a great cricket brain. I admire his level of calmness. He is a conservative captain, but attacks when he needs to...he is patient, and it works for him and his team.
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And you look at Kohli, he is more of an aggressive captain. There is no right or wrong answer to any of these because I have played under captains who are conservative and captains who are too aggressive. But this is going to be a great opportunity to see which one comes out on top because they are different. So yeah, it is going to be exciting to see who comes out on top.”
On being asked if the friendship forged in the Indian Premier League (IPL), like the one between Mumbai Indians teammates Trent Boult and Jasprit Bumrah, can have an effect on the intensity of competition but Lee denied it by saying the things will be totally different when you play for your country.
He signed off by saying, “When you get out there, it is war. It is a battle, and you are playing for your country. That will not change.”
(With PTI Inputs)
