Jun 8, 2021
Bowler Tim Southee has backed New Zealand's pace attack to unsettle India in the World Test Championship final.
India and New Zealand meet for the tournament's inaugural final in Southampton, England, from June 18.
It is India that are the favourites to take victory and are available at around 2.1 with many online betting sites.
However, New Zealand are also expected to have plenty of support ahead of the showpiece event. They could also be an interesting proposition for those who are checking the best online bookmakers, such as bet365 cricket betting.
New Zealand having what it takes to upset Virat Kohli's men is a theory shared by the Black Caps' second-highest pace-bowling wicket-taker in Test cricket.
Southee reached the milestone of 300 Test wickets against Pakistan in December last year. He was only the second New Zealand pacer to achieve the feat after Richard Hadlee.
Again, he will be key to his team's chances in the World Test Championship final as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 51.
New Zealand and skipper Kane Williamson will be hoping Southee and his teammates can take advantage of conditions in Southampton.
"I suppose we have four guys offering different things," Southee told The Guardian ahead of the contest.
"Trent Boult and I with left-arm/right-arm swing, Neil Wagner's madness, and Kyle [Jamieson] coming in at 6ft 8in adding a new dimension. We just enjoy each other's success and try to push for wins.
"I just think it helps that Neil is half-mad. He'll send down 10 overs of bouncers and he just keeps coming; a relentless workhorse who you love to have on your side."
New Zealand will also take confidence that they beat India 2-0 when they last met in Test action.
One player who shone in that series and was subsequently picked up by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the India Premier League was a tall pacer, Kyle Jamieson.
Southee backed his teammate to continue to have the same impact, adding: "A guy who bowls from 6ft 8in will only enhance any attack like ours.
"He's a great kid and driven to improve. He swings the ball and always asks questions, bowling a full length. He's invaluable with the bat too – a massive asset for the side."
Another key member of the attack that has Southee in such a confident mood is Trent Boult. The duo has been in tandem on the international stage since the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2008.
He said: "When you take someone out like that – a familiar face – it feels different. Trent is one of my best mates and if it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today. And I would like to think he would say the same."
Finally, on New Zealand's hopes of winning the World Test Championship against India, he added: "We've come close in a few one-day finals and yeah, for a country of just five million people, it would be pretty special."