New Delhi: New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee said that fast-bowling captain often face difficulty while leading in the sub-continent conditions, which are well known to assist spin bowlers. The Black Caps are scheduled to play six Test matches in Asia this year.
Southee, who replaced Kane Williamson as Test captain in December 2022, explained the challenging part for a fast-bowling captain in Asian conditions.
“It is tough. With six Test matches in this part of the world, we would like to think spin will play a crucial role. As a bowling unit, we got four quality pace bowlers and pace is your main threat back home. Here, it is potentially going to be spin. So it’s a challenge, especially for us because conditions are foreign,” Southee said in a press conference, as quoted by The Indian Express.
“It’s about working out what balance is right and it’s exciting to have a number of Test matches in this part of the world. As a seamer, to do well in this part is a great test. So we will take each match as it comes and we know it’s a busy little period for us where we may have to work through our workloads,” he added.
Pat Cummins failed to win two Test matches when Australia visited India in February last year before he left back to Australia because of personal reasons.
Where and whom will New Zealand play six Tests in sub-continent
New Zealand started their sub-continent tour on Monday in a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Noida, though the first day was washed away due to wet outfield at the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathak Stadium.
After the conclusion of the Noida Test, the Black Caps will move to Sri Lanka to play a couple of Tests in Galle from September 18 to 30. New Zealand will return to India in October to play three Test matches in Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai from October 16 to November 5.
Pat Cummins failed to win two Test matches when Australia visited India in February last year before he left back to Australia because of personal reasons. Tim Southee acknowledged sub-continent conditions are specialised for spinners and fast bowlers should adapt well. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today