SOUTHAMPTON: Former medium pacers Ajit Agarkar and Scott Styris have backed New Zealand to start as favourites in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against India, slated to get underway next Friday.
India and New Zealand will lock horns in the final of the WTC at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
While Styris feels New Zealand will win the summit clash, former India pacer Agarkar said it is difficult to pick one team, but the Kiwis will start as favourites.
“I think New Zealand will win and they will win by 6 wickets.
I think Devon Conway is going to be the highest run-scorer and Trent Boult will get the most wickets,” Styris said on Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’.
Read AlsoWTC Final: Virat Kohli likely to struggle if the ball moves in Southampton, feels Glenn TurnerIndia skipper Virat Kohli will be vulnerable against New Zealand in the World Test Championship final if conditions in Southampton aid swing and seam bowling, said former New Zealand captain and coach Glenn Turner.”It’s a difficult one to pick — who is going to win it? I think New Zealand might just start favourites in this one,” said Agarkar.
The former Indian cricketer has backed skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Mohammed Shami to come out with flying colours.
“For the leading run-getter, I will go with Virat Kohli.
I think he showed us what he could do in England — the second time he toured — even under difficult conditions and he’d want to be the man to stand up for India,” said Agarkar.
Read AlsoWTC Final: Two very competitive teams, should expect a proper Test match, says England legend David GowerThe excitement is palpable, with many comparing the match to a World Cup final, albeit played over 5 days, with a 6th day kept in reserve to protect the match against bad weather.
Former England captain and batting legend David Gower feels the venue for the big clash, the Ageas Bowl Southampton -“I think Mohammed Shami will be the highest wicket-taker.
I think Bumrah’s rise has been rapid, but to me Mohammed Shami has been India’s number one bowler, certainly in Test cricket, and the conditions don’t matter to him,” he added.
After the second Test against England, the New Zealand team will transit from the ECB bio-secure environment into the WTC final bubble on June 15 and will be subject to regular testing prior to and post their arrival in Southampton.