“Playing India is like golf against your boss,” says former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson

“Playing India is like golf against your boss,” says former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson

Mark Richardson

The final of the World Test Championship (WTC) is one of the most awaited matches in recent times. The culmination of a two-year long tournament that saw teams play bilateral series against each other, the summit clash between India and New Zealand is set to be a cracker. India finished top of the standings to make it through to the final while New Zealand had to hope other results go their way to finish on second.

The final which will take place at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton will thus see the top two sides in the ICC Rankings collide. Meanwhile, several experts and former cricketers have been getting their previews and predictions in and the latest to do so is former New Zealand cricketer Mark Richardson.

Mark Richardson previews the WTC final

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson
Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson

March Richardson spoke about facing India in a Test match and told Spark Sport, “I’d look at it from who you want to perform individually against. I look at India at the moment… and it’s like playing golf against your boss. You’re allowed to win but just in the right way. You know, we stitched them up in New Zealand a couple of times and it always felt a little bit dirty afterwards. It didn’t feel like we’d really beaten them.”

Speaking about New Zealand cricket and the dominance of India, England and Australia, he said, “England, yes… they invented the game and you’re always playing for your place as a cricket team, I guess. But Australia to me was like the proving ground for a New Zealand cricketer. You went there to prove your mettle and I did it and I’ll take that to the grave actually. I’d probably still need help over what happened in Australia. I think they still hold it over us. Even the very best have underperformed against Australia.”

The WTC final begins on the 18th of June.

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