Trent Boult, who will be one of Kane Williamson’s main weapons to unsettle the strong Indian batting line-up led by Virat Kohli, said he still has doubts about how the points are calculated in the World Test Championship.
Backing his side to ‘create history’ in the World Test Championship final against India, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult said he is raring to be a part of the marquee event in Southampton starting from June 18.
Trent Boult: New Zealand Can Hopefully Create History By Winning WTC
Trent Boult is set to miss the upcoming Test series against England and New Zealand management hopes the experienced paceman will be fresh and ready to go for the inaugural World Test Championship final.
“The way the group has traveled and performed around New Zealand and the world, the boys are in a great place to hopefully create a bit of history,” Boult told reporters at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
The left-arm seamer, who will be one of Kane Williamson’s main weapons to unsettle the strong Indian batting line-up led by Virat Kohli, said he still has doubts about how the points are calculated in the World Test Championship.
“I’ve taken a while to understand the process with qualifying, how everything works with the points, still think no one knows how that actually works, but to get into that final the excitement is ramping up now,” Boult said.
Talking about the Dukes’ ball, which will be used for the WTC final, the 31-year-old said: “I haven’t had too much experience with it, played a handful of Tests over in England. It reacts a lot differently, then you have to weigh in all these different venues.”
“I’m sure the boys are very excited to get it in their hands and see it move around. Hopefully, we can entertain you a little bit over the next wee while.”
The NZ pacer, who has 281 Test wickets at 28.02, has been getting used to the Dukes’ ball that will be used for the WTC final in Southampton and is excited about what it could offer him. His previous four Tests in England have brought him 21 wickets at 23.14.
Trent Boult Excited At The Prospect To Play WTC Final
Ahead of the WTC final, New Zealand takes on hosts England for a two-match red-ball series. Trent Boult, who has snared 281 wickets in the 71 Tests, will be unavailable for the first Test as he has opted to spend time with his family after the suspension of the IPL mid-season. However, the seamer, who will leave for the UK on Thursday, is hoping to be a part of the second fixture.
“Everything is feeling good with what lies ahead, a big stage for the World Test Championship final, and hopefully I can get over there and be part of that second Test (against England) as well. Once I step foot in the UK, get that chance to smell the English fresh air, and see the ball move around a little bit I’ll definitely be excited,” he added.
Trent Boult prepares to travel to England to join his teammates ahead of the World Test Championship final against India later this month. New Zealand coach Gary Stead said that the pacer was unlikely to feature in the 2nd Test against England at Edgbaston before the WTC final, although he himself suggested he had not completely ruled out hope of making an appearance in the 2nd Test.
Likely New Zealand XI for WTC final:- Tom Blundell, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult