New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham has insisted that there won’t be huge changes in the team selection after the opening day of the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final was called off without even the toss against India on Friday (June 18).
After the opening day of the WTC 2021 Final was called off due to rain on Friday at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton, India, and New Zealand will have a reserve day for the contest, but given the scenario, Latham isn’t expecting a huge amount of difference to their team selection.
Latham said during a virtual press conference on Friday: “Probably, doesn't change huge amount (selection of playing XI). Obviously, with an extra day, we have got up our sleeves, the game can still go on for a full five days. I guess, for us, it is about the wait and see and adapt to whatever conditions we face and ready to go when called upon.”
He further added, “We haven't confirmed the final XI yet, we have to wait and see when we get the chance to look at the wicket. I am sure Kane (Williamson) and (Gary) Stead have a few contingencies planned. We have to wait for the covers to come off and get a chance to play.”
While New Zealand hasn’t yet announced their playing XI for the WTC 2021 Final, India had already named the team for the big clash but the Kiwi star feels both teams can make changes to their XI.
The left-hander further noted, “Obviously both teams can make changes before the toss, so both are in the same position. India has named their XI, obviously, that can change before the toss, so we have to wait and see once we get to that stage of the game.”
However, as per ICC playing conditions guidelines for the WTC Final, the reserve sixth-day will now come into effect if required with six hours of play lost on Day 1 itself but Latham said it was unfortunate and disappointing that day one was called off in Southampton.
The 27-year-old further noted, “It is disappointing, the rain was forecast, unfortunately. It is one of those things that as cricketers we need to adapt, unfortunately, we can't control, for us, it is about waiting for an opportunity to come. There is day 6 as well so there is a bit of extra time that we can use. So wait and see and have a look tomorrow.”
However, the wicketkeeper-batsman is not looking too far ahead as he added, “it is hard to predict the game this far out, when you start on day 1, you obviously want to start well and result flow on from the first and second innings.”
Latham signed off by saying, “From our point of view, it is about when we get a chance to go out there and execute our plans best as possible and to be in a position to push the game forward. But yeah, it is hard to say what a perfect scenario may look like until both the teams have batted on the surface.”
(With PTI Inputs)
