Shane Bond thinks New Zealand will bowl Team India out cheaply if they win the toss and bowl first in the World Test Championship (WTC) final which begins in Southampton on June 18.
The former Blackcaps pacer couldn’t really say what India might do if they win the toss but he expects the Kiwis to dominate should captain Kane Williamson call it correctly. However, he said there is a ‘risk’ if New Zealand don’t bowl India out cheaply.
“…if New Zealand win the toss and bowl as well as they have. I think they’ll bowl out India cheaply and that ain’t a bad thing. The risk is if they (NZ) don’t bowl them out, India have got two world-class spinners and are right in the game,” he said in a virtual press conference arranged by Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the WTC Final.
The weather in Southampton might play a crucial role in the WTC final. As per the forecast, there is a good chance of rain on all five days of the final. There is a reserve day — June 23 — for the WTC final to make up the overs lost due to bad weather conditions.
The cloudy and overcast conditions are expected to favour the Kiwis, and if Bond’s prediction does come true and New Zealand decide to put India in, Indian openers will have their task cut out against the New Zealand pacers, especially Trent Boult.
Since the Dukes’ ball swings more, Shane Bond feels New Zealand will line up with five fast bowlers. The 46-year-old also spoke about Team India’s bowling combination for the WTC final.
“I think New Zealand are going to win. Game practices going to have a massive impact. I think India have got a balanced bowling attack. I think they’ll play three seamers and two spinners. I think New Zealand will play five seamers, and I think they’ll win the toss and they’ll bowl first,” he concluded.