(Reuters) – New Zealand open their World Check Championship defence in opposition to India this week with an air of fatigue after an extended highway journey and the emotional letdown of the T20 World Cup.
Whitewashed 3-0 by India in a T20 collection on the heels of their World Cup closing defeat by Australia, the ‘Black Caps’ have misplaced that successful feeling as they head into the primary check in Kanpur on Thursday in opposition to an opponent bent on revenge.
New Zealand might have golden recollections of beating India in Southampton to assert the inaugural WTC trophy in June however the impartial territory of the Rose Bowl can hardly appear additional away.
With out tempo spearhead Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme, New Zealand will face the identical opponents the place they’ve by no means gained a check collection not to mention a check for the reason that 1988/89 tour.
“You realise the enormity of the problem forward,” head coach Gary Stead instructed reporters on Tuesday.
“India are a improbable aspect. They’ve bought world class spinners of their surroundings right here as nicely.
“(They’re) one of many nice challenges on the check calendar. It’s one thing we haven’t performed for some time, we have not been right here since 2016 however we’re definitely trying ahead to what’s forward.”
New Zealand can have solely two coaching periods as a full squad earlier than Thursday, with the T20 gamers having rejoined the camp on Monday following the defeat in Kolkata.
Numerous gamers are nicely in need of match health, together with batsman Ross Taylor and paceman Neil Wagner.
Selectors have but to determine who will substitute batsman Devon Conway for the primary check after he broke his hand punching his bat on the World Cup.
“We’re as ready as we will be on this COVID world,” mentioned Stead.
“India are additionally coming off a T20 collection … Hopefully for us they’re in the same boat to what we’re as nicely.”
New Zealand’s four-prong tempo assault reigned supreme within the final COVID-affected WTC cycle however the Black Caps might be unable to fall again on their conventional strengths in Kanpur and Mumbai.
They are going to hope left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and offspinner Will Somerville can strain India’s highly effective batting lineup, with all-rounder Mitch Santner additionally prone to be available with left-arm spin.
Stead acknowledged New Zealand would want to handle some gamers fastidiously after their lengthy stint on the highway however mentioned there was little time to dwell on issues.
“In two weeks we’ll be on a aircraft dwelling, issues will occur actually shortly for us,” he mentioned. “So it’s actually necessary that we get centered on the job and the problem that’s in entrance of us.”
(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Modifying by Peter Rutherford)
