IND vs NZ Test series: New Zealand pacers Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner are big threats for India heading into the Test series. The likes of Jamieson and Wagner will add to New Zealand’s strength while Southee will use his experience to outplay India. The pace trio have troubled Team India in the past and Ajinkya Rahane & Co will have to come prepared to face these Kiwi pacers. Together, they have scalped record 81 wickets against India. Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates on InsideSport.IN
The three pacers could affect inexperienced India in the opening session if New Zealand bowls first.
IND vs NZ Test series: New Zealand pace trio Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner big challenge for India- check why?
Kyle Jamieson will play a key role for Blackcaps owing to his experience of playing in IPL. He has taken 16 wickets against India in just 3 Test matches. He had troubled India during the WTC Final which also featured a five-wicket haul. He had got rid of India Test captain Virat Kohli in both innings. The likes of Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara will be wary of him.
Meanwhile, Tim Southee is the Kiwi best bowler against India. He has already scalped 44 wickets against India in 9 matches. He too will be eyeing the price wickets of Rahane and Pujara. Neil Wagner will also be looking to make the most among pacers with 21 wickets in 6 games against India.
- Kyle Jamieson vs India: 16 wickets in 3 Tests
- Neil Wagner vs India: 21 wickets in 6 Tests
- Tim Southee vs India: 44 wickets in 9 Tests
IND vs NZ Test series: New Zealand pace trio Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner big challenge for India- check why?
IND vs NZ Test LIVE: Kyle Jamieson ready for ‘India Challenge’- New Zealand Pacer Kyle Jamieson is well aware of the challenges of playing in India and says he is ready for it. India and New Zealand will clash in a two-match Test series with the first game starting here from Thursday. Jamieson, who has made a record-breaking start to Test cricket, with 46 wickets in just eight appearances, is undertaking his first tour of the country with the national team.
“I haven’t played a whole lot of cricket over here. I had the first half of the IPL which was good, but this will be different again,” Jamieson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
“I’ve got Wags (Neil Wagner) and Timmy (Tim Southee) here, so that’ll be good to bounce ideas of them, to get their expertise on how to bowl here.
“It’s certainly going to be a different challenge to what we get back home but really looking forward to it,” the tall pacer added.
Jamieson played a crucial role in New Zealand winning the last three Tests against India, including the World Test Championship final against India in Southampton in June this year.
However, with Southee and Wagner in the squad, Jamieson might not be a part of the playing XI in the opener.
As the Kiwis start their WTC title defence, Jamieson enters the scene with five five-wicket hauls and an incredible average of 14.17 in the five-day format.
“It certainly feels a long time ago. No better way to start than the challenge of India in India.”
The difference in conditions notwithstanding, Jamieson said he will stick to his strengths as he looks to adapt.
“First and foremost I think for me it’s not trying to change my game too much — still try and stick to my strengths but try and adapt to what the conditions give.
“If I do play and get the new ball, it’s trying to swing that and as the conditions change and the roles change throughout the game, try to focus on that.”
The 26-year-old was part of the New Zealand team that reached the final of the T20 World Cup but he did not get game time in the UAE.
“It was good to be part of and gave me a chance to step back, with the volume of cricket I’d been playing, a chance to work on my game and get back in the gym with Chris (Donaldson, the strength and conditioning coach).”
IND vs NZ Test LIVE: Kane Williamson & Co hit the nets ahead of opening Test in Kanpur- See Pics
IND vs NZ Test series: New Zealand pace trio Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner big challenge for India- check why?
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(with agency inputs)
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