Kane Williamson wants less grass on WTC final pitch

The 30-year-old said the 2019 50-over World Cup final, where his team lost to New Zealand in the final due to boundary count is not playing on the team's mind as it is a different format.

London: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson wants less grass on Southampton pitch for the World Test Championship (WTC) final from June 18 since he feels there is plenty of rain around already. He termed Indian bowling attack, which his side will face in WTC final, as ‘fantastic’ and one with ‘depth’.

“Yeah, they have got a fantastic attack. Brilliant, obviously a brilliant side. Throughout we have seen the depth they have as well, certainly saw that in Australia as well. A lot of strengths in their fast bowling and spin department,” said Williamson in an interview to International Cricket Council (ICC) website.

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“So yeah, (India are) a brilliant side, ranked right up the top, which is fair enough and an exciting opportunity for us to be involved in the final taking on the best,” added Williamson.

The 30-year-old said the 2019 50-over World Cup final, where his team lost to New Zealand in the final due to boundary count is not playing on the team’s mind as it is a different format.

“Certainly not something that the guys have spoken about. I guess being a different side really with a different format as well… The match you mentioned was a very memorable one and obviously it had some controversy and it had everything, and people loved watching it, at the end of the day. That is why people got a lot out of it. Hopefully, it (WTC final) is a great spectacle, and we get a decent crowd, and it is a really good game!,” added Williamson.

Calling the two Tests against England preceding the WTC final as great preparation, the right-handed batsman said, “Yeah, the two Tests against England before the WTC final are important matches and ones the guys are looking forward to. But naturally, there is a carrot at the end that has taken a long time to, I suppose, to accumulate points and have the opportunity to be involved in it. To get that chance is exciting and the guys know it. You know it’s sort of the third Test match of the mini-series I suppose, and they are really excited to be involved.”

The Tauranga-born batsman, who is among the Fab 4 batsmen in present-day world cricket, hinted that the pitch for WTC final could aid swing and seam during to rain around and expected the curators to keep less amount of grass.

“Mow it a bit, give it a roll maybe! I do not know the team yet, let us see what the conditions are. What we have seen so far is pretty much rain, every day. It is nice to be outside to be honest, just getting some experience facing the Dukes (ball) in different conditions,” he added.

Trent Boult may play 2nd Test

London: Pace bowler Trent Boult, who left for home to rest instead of travelling with New Zealand squad to United Kingdom after suspension of Indian Premier League (IPL), will likely play second Test against England that begins on June 10 at Edgbaston and acts as warm-up for World Test Championship (WTC) final against India.

“There is a chance,” New Zealand coach Gary Stead told media after the end of first Test against England at Lord’s on Sunday.

“There are a few things that have changed since I first said that (Boult wouldn’t play) a few weeks ago. The British government has relaxed their quarantine stipulations here, and Trent’s actually out of isolation.

“The original plan, with the information we had at the time, was that we were not going to play him in the second Test and that two or three days’ training would not be enough to get him to where we needed,” he added.

Boult had expressed his willingness to play the second Test immediately after Stead had said he won’t play last week. Stead said that since the left-arm seamer will be getting free from quarantine three days earlier, he will get to play.

Boult reached London from New Zealand on Friday.

“Being out of isolation three days earlier than anticipated does put a slightly different spin on things. Trent is more keen (to play) than he was a week ago as he is over here now and part of the environment but it’s too early to make that call now,” said Stead.

“He has only been here 48 hours and he is probably still a bit jet-lagged. We have to weigh up all the pros and cons and the risks before we make that decision,” added Stead

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