New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen has on Monday (June 28) described the Kiwis’ ICC World Test Championship title victory as his “greatest coaching achievement” while saying winning the ICC Test Championship “means a lot” to all the people involved in the game in the country.
The bowling coach also called the pace quartet of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson as the best in the world while hailing the fantastic effort of the national team in the WTC Final against India despite bad weather at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton.
Last week, Kane Williamson-led New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets in the WTC 2021 Final to win the inaugural World Test Championship title in Southampton.
As reported by ESPNCricinfo, Jurgensen said: “I think for me this is about, for all of New Zealand really, from people that have always gone to (put) the extra effort from New Zealand Cricket's staff, board, sponsors, the caterers at the ground we play at, the curators at all the grounds, the physios, the domestic coaches and the CEOs — everyone has had an input into this somewhere and a valuable contribution and it really means a lot to us now.”
He further added, “I think, at times, I've been really emotional in my room, and also for me personally my wife because she puts up with me being away a lot. For me, personally, this is my greatest coaching achievement.”
The bowling coach also revealed that he was still crying tears of joy and was watching the sixth day's play of the WTC Final against India over and over again while being in isolation after returning home.
Jurgensen continued, “I've seen a few highlights. I've sort of been reading a lot and watching a bit on YouTube, so looking at it from all different angles. But for me what is different this time is the reflection on me personally and also you know for me in my area — the bowling unit what they have achieved
I think the morning of the last day to be able to make the vital breakthroughs with Kyle (Jamieson) and Tim (Southee) and Trent (Boult). It was a fantastic effort to put ourselves in a position to chase a reasonably low total. Oh! I've cried. I've cried a few times — probably every day since the win. You sort of sitting there and then you go: 'Wow! World Test champions'.”
Hailing the New Zealand pace bowlers, Jurgensen said: “I think so. I've been thinking that (New Zealand has the best attack) for a while. So it's just me and my role and belief in these bowlers; what they bring to us as a team and the challenges they have overseas.”
The bowling coach continued, “But, I think they are and we can probably strongly say that right now — this hasn't been a fluke and it has been happening for a long time. As I said, the belief in the bowling group — how they plan, how fit they are, how strong they are, and how much they believe in each other. The trust is amazing and we got four or five bowlers in the final, but all do different things.
Kyle's height and accuracy, to be able to swing it both ways at a good pace. Tim's accuracy, new-ball execution — unbelievable. He can adapt to use the crease — over and around — to left-handers and right-handers. We know Trent's ability with the new ball, but he took wickets with the old ball; he's been doing that for a while, so it's nothing new for me and the team.”
He signed off by saying, “We know that Neil (Wagner) makes people uncomfortable on the back foot and the front foot with the lengths he bowls, but he's now getting guys out like Trent. So, he's building up a different skill set to be able to swing the ball both ways and seam it.”
(With PTI Inputs)
