We are pretty content with the players we have selected for WTC final: Kyle Jamieson

Tags: ICC World Test Championship Final 2021, India vs New Zealand, Final at Southampton, Jun 18-22, 2021, India, New Zealand, Kyle Alex Jamieson

Published on: Jun 20, 2021

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New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson has asserted that the Kiwis are pretty happy with the team combination for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India. After New Zealand won the toss and decided to bowl on Saturday, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson revealed that they will be going in with an all-pace attack, with all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme being picked as the fifth pace bowling option ahead of left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.

In a well-contested battle between bat and ball, India ended Day 2 of the WTC final in Southampton at 146 for 3. Indian captain Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 44 while his deputy Ajinkya Rahane was undefeated on 29. For New Zealand, Jamieson was the most impressive of the bowlers, with figures of 1 for 14 from 14 overs, nine of those maidens.

In a virtual press conference at the end of the second day’s play, Jamieson stated that they are pleased with their bowling combination for the WTC final. He said, “I think we are pretty content with the players we have selected for this game. We have only seen 60 overs (64.4 overs) of play, and I don’t think there was any error made there. All the guys who bowled today offered a huge amount and were able to let the ball do the talking.”

After New Zealand announced their playing XI, Aussie legend Shane Warne tweeted that the Kiwis probably made a mistake by not picking a spinner as the footmarks are already developing in the pitch.

Looking back at the second day’s play, Jamieson added that it was a good day of Test cricket, with neither team have the edge going into Day 3. He said, “It was a very good day of Test cricket. It’s probably pretty even at the moment. The disruptions didn’t help the momentum we were trying to get and that we had at periods of time.”

According to the tall fast bowler, New Zealand did well to control the situation by bowling in the right areas. He added, “It’s obviously pretty crucial to try to keep the ball in reasonable areas for long periods, and those runs are there, but it was just good to halt the momentum a little bit. How we did that as a bowling unit throughout the day after they started pretty well, was pleasing and it kept things in the balance very nicely.”

With more rain predicted for Day 3, we could have another stop-start day in Southampton on Sunday.

--By A Cricket Correspondent

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