Initially not expecting to feature in the ongoing second Test against England, New Zealand pacer Trent Boult is hopeful that achieving game fitness rather than bowling in the nets will put him in ‘good stead’ in the upcoming World Test Championship final against India.
“Initially I wasn’t expecting to play this game but everything fell into line, and I gave myself that chance to get out there and I think I’ll definitely be better off for that head out,” Boult was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.
“It’s one thing loading and getting through numbers in the nets but to simulate that kind of game fitness and having to come back three, four or five times in a day … there’s no real other way to do that. So I’m hoping it puts me in good stead (for the WTC final).”
New Zealand have plenty of bowling options ahead of the marquee Test next week with pacers Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson, Neil Wagner and Matt Henry performing well in ongoing series but Boult feels some ‘hard calls’ are on the cards.
“Healthy competition,” Boult said about their pace-bowling options for the WTC final.
“The boys are very excited about the prospect, but they’ve put in a lot of hard yards not just over the last couple of weeks but over a couple of years of a Test Championship cycle.
“Some hard calls will have to be made but the big picture is the collective goal of lifting the world title,” he added.
