Former England cricketer Monty Panesar said New Zealand looks a slightly better side as compared to India, given the fact having more variation in their bowling attack, going into the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton from June 8.
The former spinner has further pointed out that New Zealand has both left-armers and right-armers in their bowling arsenal and with the ball swinging in English conditions, Indian batsmen will find it really tough to counter the attack in the upcoming WTC 2021 Final.
Panesar told Sportzoclock: “I think New Zealand look slightly the better side. The reason being they have a lot more variations. They have a left-armer, right-armer, and the tall bowler (Kyle) Jamieson as well. And that's a lot more difficult for a batsman to adjust to.”
He further noted, “So, New Zealand will be hoping that the Indians will be preparing against the likes of a right armer and a left-armer and practicing with the ball swinging because that is where it is going to be really testing for India.”
Panesar also believes that the Kiwi pace bowler Tim Southee will trouble the Indian batsmen most during the WTC final in Southampton. New Zealand rested Southee for the second Test against England in order to keep him fresh for the big showdown against Team India.
The former cricketer said, “I think Tim Southee will trouble the Indians the most in the swinging conditions. He is quite clever. He draws the batsman in by bowling slightly wide of the crease and slightly fuller. And that's gonna be the danger ball for the Indian batsman.”
He signed off by saying, “He's (Southee) going to lure them into hitting a half volley into the covers, and he will look to swing that ball. So that's the ball the Indians need to watch out for.”
(With IANS Inputs)
