WELLINGTON: A late push in New Zealand for a place next year International Cricket CouncilThe final of the World Test Championship will come to an end against injured Pakistan when their two-Test series begins Saturday in Mount Maunganui.
Kane Williamson’s side are third behind Australia and India and need to win both Bay Oval games and then a second from Jan. 1. 3-7 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch to give themselves any chance to make the final to Lord.
Williamson, however, was acutely aware that they would have to take other results along the way, which may be why he tried to downplay the fundamental importance of the series.
“I think the context of that (the test tournament) is great for the game in general,” he told reporters this week. “But our focus is … to start basically again.
“It’s about getting back to basics and playing what’s in front of us instead of getting too carried away with potential stuff.”
New Zealand’s chances of the series were dashed when the batsman Williamson, who lost the innings and a 12-run victory over West Indies in Wellington while he waited, returned. to the birth of his first child.
Tim Southee also added inspiration for the first game, with the bowling spear just four wickets away from joining Richard Hadlee and Daniel Vettori as the third bowler in New Zealand to complete the 300 wicket Test .
Pakistan, however, will be without an injured captain Babar Azam, opener Imam-Ul-Haq and all-round Shadab Khan and unstable captain Mohammad Rizwan said that even if they missed the three he expected the others to take their chances.
“We trust them,” he said. “And hopefully they play well.”
Rizwan was also not worried about the grass-filled wicket block, which could be an advantage for the home team’s strong bowling quarter.
“It doesn’t really matter for the park if there’s a little grass,” he said.
“If it’s sad for us, it’s sad for New Zealand.”