Shane Jurgensen, a New Zealand bowling coach considers winning the inaugural World Test Championship title as his greatest coaching achievement while terming the pace quartet of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner, and Kyle Jamieson as the best in the world.
New Zealand defeated India by eight wickets at Southampton last week to claim the WTC crown, their second ICC trophy after Champions Trophy 2000.
Shane Jurgensen: Personally, Winning The WTC Final Against India Was My Greatest Coaching Acheivement
Shane Jurgensen feels New Zealand has the best bowling assault in international cricket. The Blackcaps bowling coach trusts the World Test Championship final execution offered convincing evidence about the New Zealand bowling attack.
“I think for me this is about, for all of New Zealand really, from people that have always gone to (put) the extra effort from New Zealand Cricket’s staff, board, sponsors, the caterers at the ground we play at, the curators at all the grounds, the physios, the domestic coaches and the CEOs – everyone has had an input into this somewhere and a valuable contribution and it really means a lot to us now,” he said.
“I think, at times, I’ve been really emotional in my room, and also for me personally my wife because she puts up with me being away a lot. For me, personally, this is my greatest coaching achievement,” Jurgensen was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Shane Jurgensen revealed that he was still crying tears of joy and was watching the final day’s play over and over again while being in isolation after returning home.
“I’ve seen a few highlights. I’ve sort of been reading a lot and watching a bit on YouTube, so looking at it from all different angles,” he said.
“But for me what is different this time is the reflection on me personally and also you know for me in my area – the bowling unit what they have achieved…I think the morning of the last day to be able to make the vital breakthroughs with Kyle (Jamieson) and Tim (Southee) and Trent (Boult). It was a fantastic effort to put ourselves in a position to chase a reasonably low total.”
Shane Jurgensen has held coaching roles with Bangladesh, Fiji, Scotland, and New Zealand was effusive in his praise for his pace quartet Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, and Neil Wagner.
“I think so. I’ve been thinking that (New Zealand have the best attack) for a while. So it’s just me and my role and belief in these bowlers; what they bring to us as a team and the challenges they have overseas,” he said.
The New Zealand bowlers put on a masterclass in Southampton as they helped New Zealand beat India by eight wickets in the debut WTC final. Ross Taylor hit the winning runs.
Shane Jurgensen: Winning WTC Final Isn’t A Fluke
Shane Jurgensen said that now people will sit up and take notice of the fact that this wasn’t a fluke.
“But, I think they are and we can probably strongly say that right now – this hasn’t been a fluke and it has been happening for a long time. As I said, the belief in the bowling group – how they plan, how fit they are, how strong they are and how much they believe in each other. The trust is amazing and we got four or five bowlers in the final, but all do different things. Kyle’s height and accuracy, to be able to swing it both ways at a good pace. Tim’s accuracy, new-ball execution – unbelievable. He can adapt to use the crease – over and around – to left-handers and right-handers.”
“We know Trent’s ability with the new ball, but he took wickets with the old ball; he’s been doing that for a while, so it’s nothing new for me and the team. We know that Neil (Wagner) makes people uncomfortable on the back foot and the front foot with the lengths he bowls, but he’s now getting guys out like Trent. So, he’s building up a different skill set to be able to swing the ball both ways and seam it,” he added.
The New Zealand pace attack is viewed as quite possibly the most adjusted one having many varieties in Test cricket. Trent Boult and Tim Southee are two of the best swing bowlers. The option of Kyle Jamieson has added another measurement to an all-around compromising attack. Shane Jurgensen hailed the assortment the New Zealand bowlers have in red-ball cricket. Neil Wagner has added another stunt to his ordinance.