New Zealand seamer Tim Southee on Tuesday (June 22) said his team would have liked to have more of the first innings lead than the 32 runs they got on Day 5 in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
After bowling out the Indian Cricket Team for 217, New Zealand managed to take a lead of 32 runs, which the bowling-friendly conditions in Southampton, but Southee feels it would be great to get a bit of lead of over 50 while hailing India’s bowling efforts on Day 5.
Southee has also played an entertaining but crucial knock of 30 runs with the help of a four and a couple of sixes. He lauded the Indian bowlers for brilliantly having them reeling at 135/5, but they eventually scored 249 runs to take a 32-run first-innings lead in Southampton.
At the moment, Team India is leading by 32 runs with eight wickets in hand, going into the final day of the WTC 2021 Final on Wednesday (June 23) at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Southee said at the post-day media interaction: “We would have liked to get a few more (runs), get a bit of lead of over 50, but I think, the Indian side was outstanding with the ball and put us under pressure at the start of the day. So for us to sneak past and get a 30-odd run lead was nice in the end.”
The right-arm pacer further added, “But you always want more. It is shaping up for an intriguing day tomorrow. That is a quality Indian batting line-up with two of their best (batters) at the crease at the moment. So we have to be on top of our game tomorrow and that first hour or two are going to be crucial on each side, it will set up the day.”
He signed off by saying, “We will assess in the morning and come up with our plan, but we know, we have got a tough day ahead of us, like I said it is exciting to have all three results still possible.”
(With PTI Inputs)
