Australia and India have a considerable lead, but New Zealand could still push them
“I’m not in a rush to get back to Lord’s …”
Trent Boult was a joke, of course, which is probably not the worst way to remember that raucous night on July 14, 2019, when not only was he in charge of the last over of the most dramatic World Cup final, but I had to launch the Super Over too. And while technically he didn’t really lose, he still had to see the other team take the Cup.
Those scars may never fully heal, but with another final scheduled at Lord’s in 2021, one that will crown the first Test Match champion in cricket history, Boult is keen to do it again.
“I’m not in much of a rush to get back to Lord’s, but obviously it will be a special occasion,” he said at the end of the third day of play in the second test against the West Indies in Wellington. “It will be very, very unique. Obviously [it] It hasn’t been done before in the sense of having a final type of playoff test match. But that’s why you play. That’s why you put in hours to lift those trophies at the end, so I can’t think of a better group of guys to try and lift it than this test side. “
New Zealand will have to finish in the top two of the World Trials Championship table to reserve a spot for Lord’s next year. They are currently in fourth place but are favorites to finish the series against the West Indies 2-0, with the opposition six down and still 85 runs below par as they go. The next challenge begins on Boxing Day with two events against Pakistan and at the beginning of the new year they will also face Bangladesh.
As things stand, Australia and India are much closer to playing that final, thanks to the considerable advantage they have over everyone else. But, given that all of New Zealand’s next matches are at home and they have only lost five Tests there in the last 10 years, you can imagine their chances of getting enough points to push for those top two places.
For now, his attention remains on the West Indies, whose lower order mounted serious resistance once more and, with a little help from bad light, carried the Wellington Test to day four.
“We would have loved to continue,” said Boult. “But [we] I really can’t control that. I think we were in a great position and everything is well organized tonight. Obviously it will be good to look forward to having a good new hard ball in our hands. Some good resistance from Jason Holder; obviously a good little association. It’s going to be great to break in the morning. Hopefully we can cross out a couple before the new ball and prepare it well. I probably don’t need to go [looking for wickets] too. Keep it nice and simple as we’ve done throughout the posts and we draw the error, and I’m pretty sure we can do it. “
New Zealand have enjoyed excellent individual performances over the past few days. Tim Southee picked up his eleventh-five by and is getting closer and closer to 300 proving grounds. And Boult is on his heels and they are both staring at Sir Richard Hadlee on the New Zealand summit.
“There is a race to 431 that would be quite nice,” said Boult. “I really enjoy bowling with him [Southee]. We have been good companions for several years. We complement [each other] very good at times in our career. He’s in good shape. He has been playing very well with the red ball and is very close. It’s exciting”
BJ Watling has been a silent partner who has helped Southee and Boult reach those heights, and in the process he too has gained great recognition. With 242 layoffs, he surpassed Englishman Alex Stewart and is now among the top 10 most successful test wicketkeepers of all time.
“The Sheriff [Watling], he’s been doing what he’s doing for a long time, “said Boult.” He is a very passionate man. He is passionate about the hat on his head and the team that surrounds it. He deserves all the accolades that come his way. He’s one of the guys who works extremely hard on his game and it’s understandable why he’s moving higher and higher on those charts. “
Alagappan Muthu is deputy editor of ESPNcricinfo
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