New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling is hoping to end “one hell of a journey” in international cricket with a triumph in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final against India starting on Friday (June 18) at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The right-hander missed the second Test against England that New Zealand won to clinch the series 1-0 on Sunday (June 13) due to a back injury. However, Watling has now recovered and has been named in the New Zealand squad for the WTC 2021 Final against India beginning on Friday.
The WTC Final between New Zealand and Team India will be Watling’s 75th and final appearance in whites for the Kiwis and he wants to finish his career on a high by winning the World Test Championship mace in Southampton next week.
However, the 35-year-old is taking the WTC 2021 Final as another game but is certainly pretty pumped to be in the final and excited to play and win the mega contest against the Indian cricket team.
Watling was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz, “I’m just looking forward to playing another test match. It is an exciting one, and I’m certainly pretty pumped to be in the final. I’m just going into it how I do with every other test going through the processes of trying to win a test match.”
The veteran batsman was also thankful that he did not have any major injury issues during his long career since making his debut in 2019. He has so far played 107 international games for the Black Caps.
He further mentioned, “I think as a cricketer you have the odd niggle every now and then. The back, it’s been pretty good to be fair for most of my career. There have been a couple of instances when it’s just played up a bit, but I think you learn how to manage those types of injuries, and I’m thankful that I haven’t been majorly injured over my time. I’ve certainly enjoyed the time I have spent with this team playing cricket for New Zealand. It’s been a hell of a journey.”
Watling was also elated with New Zealand’s 1-0 Test series victory, their first over England in 22 years ahead of the WTC 2021 Final against India and now they are aiming to win the World Test Championship Mace.
He signed off by saying, “It’s obviously a massive opportunity to win a title, but I think what we’ve been doing leading into this, winning the games at home this summer, and then obviously winning a test series against England, it’s certainly been fantastic. We’ll try and do our best and try to carry on the form that we’ve been playing in for a reasonably long period.”
New Zealand WTC Final squad:
Kane Williamson (C), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner BJ Watling, and Will Young.
(With PTI Inputs)
