WTC Final: ‘I think Tim Southee will trouble the Indians,’ believes Monty Panesar


WTC Final: ‘I think Tim Southee will trouble the Indians,’ believes Monty Panesar

Monty Panesar and Tim Southee

Former England spinner Monty Panesar had reckoned that New Zealand quick Tim Southee would trouble the Indians the most in the swinging conditions.

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In less than a week’s time, India and New Zealand are to set lock horns at the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. The two sides will be up against each other from June 18 to June 22 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, England.  

The former cricketer highlighted that Southee draws the batsman in by bowling slightly wide and fuller of the crease that’s gonna be the danger ball for Virat Kohli’s men. Notably, the speedster claimed a six-for during the recently-concluded drawn Test match against England at the Lord’s. 

“I think Tim Southee will trouble the Indians the most in the swinging conditions. He is quite clever. He draws the batsman in by bowling slightly wide of the crease and slightly fuller. And that’s gonna be the danger ball for the Indian batsman. He’s going to lure them into hitting a half volley into the covers, and he will look to swing that ball. So that’s the ball the Indians need to watch out for,” Panesar said while speaking with sports presenter Dr Yash Kashikar on Sportz O’clock.

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‘New Zealand looks slightly the better side’: Panesar

New Zealand Test Team
New Zealand Test Team

The 39-year-old mentioned that the Blackcaps look slightly the better side as they have a lot more variations in the bowling attack. 

“I think New Zealand looks slightly better side. The reason being they have a lot more variations. They have a left-armer, right-armer and the tall bowler Jamieson as well. And that’s a lot more difficult for a batsman to adjust to.

“So NZ will be hoping that the Indians will be preparing against the likes of a right-armer and a left-armer and practising with the ball swinging because that is where it is going to be really testing for India,” he said.

Apart from Panesar, several other members of the cricket fraternity have also given Kiwis an edge over the Virat Kohli-led side. Many believe that New Zealand’s two-match series against England will help them acclimatize with the England conditions.

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