Salman Butt, former tainted Pakistan batsman reckoned common sense, game awareness, correct application, and hard work to be the most crucial virtues, which both these teams have in plenty while trying to dig into what makes the two teams so special and strong.
Answering his co-host during an interaction on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt lauded both the teams for their consistency throughout the WTC cycle. The World Test Championship final is under two weeks to arrive as both India and New Zealand head towards the ultimate showdown of Test cricket.
Salman Butt: Both The Teams Have Game Awareness
A tournament that started with Australia and England’s Ashes Test in 2019 has found the top-two sides after loads of crunching action that has gone on for over two years across 27 Test series.
Defying many odds and surpassing most of the opponents, the two finalists have established themselves in the top bracket of the ICC Test rankings too, with the No. 2 Kane Williamson-led New Zealand following toppers India closely. After succeeding in the hard cycle, the two teams have not earned this by fluke.
“Their basic application towards the game is very strong. The game awareness of their players across all the formats is extremely strong, they are very alert to the situation. They also pay a lot of attention to detail, they know exactly what to do when,” said Salman Butt.
“You can see common sense in their planning and strategy. In Test cricket, when there is a need to dig in, they also score 20 runs in 100 balls. When there is a need to score quickly, they are scoring quickly,” Salman Butt said on his YouTube channel.
“In reality, such understanding and command of the game don’t come easy. It comes when you spend years playing first-class cricket and that is where you learn the skill. It comes after playing four-day cricket, something we are tired of propagating and hoping somebody understands the point,” said Salman Butt emphasizing the role of domestic cricket.
Currently, the Indian team is fulfilling the mandatory quarantine in Southampton’s Hilton Hotel, located on the premises of the Ageas Bowl, the final’s venue, whereas the New Zealand team is up against England at Lord’s in the first of the two-Test series.
India Would Want To Make Amends After Heavy Defeat In New Zealand
The Indian team under Virat Kohli was beaten 2-0 by New Zealand when the last time the two sides met in New Zealand and the Indians will be eager to give one back in this prestigious match. India has played New Zealand 59 times in Test cricket. India holds the edge with 21 Tests while the Kiwis have won 12 Tests. There have been 26 matches that ended in a draw.
The WTC final between India and New Zealand will kick off on 18 June. New Zealand will play a couple of Tests against England ahead of the final. In the 1st ongoing Test, New Zealand has the upper hand by virtue of a first-innings lead of 103. New Zealand is leading by 272 runs till lunch break on Day 5. Devon Conway of New Zealand scored 200 in his debut while Rory Burns scored 132 for England.