New Zealand bowling coach Shane Jurgensen has rung the warning bells to his team ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final against India slated to be played at Southampton between 18 and 22 June. The coach stated that the Kiwis need to be on the top of their game when they counter Rishabh Pant in the biggest match of their Test history.
"Well, Pant is an extremely dangerous player who can change the game on its head. We saw how well he did it against Australia and England. He’s extremely positive-minded, but with that comes potentially the opportunity to take his wicket," Jurgensen, in his second stint as the Black Caps bowling coach, told The Telegraph.
"Our bowlers need to execute well, stay calm and make it as difficult as possible for Pant to score runs. He’s certainly a free-flowing batsman and a tough one to stop, which we should keep in mind,” he further added.
The hard-hitting left-handed batsman has been in sublime form in the longest format. He has been going through a purple patch which saw him conquer Australia during their historic series victory in January.
Pant smashed a sensational 97 in the 3rd Test in Sydney and got India close to an unlikely win. He went a notch further in the deciding Test at the Gabba remaining unbeaten on 87 and taking India to a once in a lifetime victory.
He carried on his rich vein of form in the home Test series against India amassing 270 runs in 4 matches which included a century and a couple of half-centuries. He will be key to India’s chances if the No 1 Test team hopes of winning the inaugural World Test Championship.
Jurgensen feels that Kyle Jamieson will be a crucial cog in New Zealand’s defence when they meet India in the all-important final. Jamieson who recently plied his trade in the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore will look to pass on some crucial information surrounding Virat Kohli. The New Zealand pace attack looks in good space with the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner looking to get some much-needed game time in the two-match Test series against England.
"Well, Kyle has played with Virat at RCB and no doubt they would have exchanged some comments potentially leading into this final. So interesting times ahead," Jurgensen said.
"I’m sure it’s going to be great to watch Kyle. His Test career too has been outstanding so far. He has got a great opportunity to prepare really well in the lead-up to the final, beginning with the two Tests versus England,” he further added.
India have a star-studded bowling line-up. In all likelihood, the pace attack will be spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah followed by Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami. The likes of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj has also done well in the past and will look to seize the opportunity if they are presented with a chance.
"It’s a challenging bowling attack that India have. A lot of options are available for them. It’ll be a very, very stiff challenge we could face from (Jasprit) Bumrah to Shardul (Thakur), who’s an all-rounder and has done well in Australia too,” Jurgensen stated.
"There’s Mohammed Siraj and even their spinners, who can spin it both ways. It’s a group of formidable, outstanding Test bowlers,” he concluded.
The Kiwis will play a practice game and two Tests against England ahead of the WTC final. It should serve as a much-needed preparation for New Zealand who should consider themselves favourites if the conditions are seam friendly.