World Test Championship Final: New Zealand will be against India for the World Test Championship title. What should be New Zealand’s batting order for the WTC final?
New Zealand finished second on the World Test Championship points table after the league stage. They won 70% of their games and had 420 points to their name. They played most of their games at home and the only games they lost were when they played outside.
WTC Final is in England and batting here is considered more difficult when compared to the other places around the world. The duke ball assists the fast bowler for a longer duration and the English conditions support the pacers too.
World Test Championship Final: What Should be New Zealand’s Batting Order for WTC Final?
All the 4 losses for New Zealand have been outside their home conditions including a 3-0 whitewash against Australia.
It won’t be easy for the Kiwi batters to scores runs against the Indian bowling attack, especially the pacers in English conditions. So, what should be their batting order for the WTC final?
IND vs NZ WTC Final: NZ Openers
Tom Latham and Tom Blundell should be their openers. Both have performed well while opening the innings for the Black Caps. Latham has scored 811 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 40.55 in the last 2 years. He is the second-highest run-scorer for the Kiwis in the past 2 years. Tom Blundell has 402 runs in 8 games at an average of 33.50 during that time period.
WTC Final 2021: Middle-Order
Captain Kane Williamson should be the number 3 for New Zealand. He is their main batsman and the highest run-scorer in the past 2 years. He has scored 976 runs in 11 Tests at an average of 61. His team will be very dependent on him for scoring most of the runs.
Ross Taylor will bat at 4. He’s their most experienced batsman. He has 652 runs to his name at an average of 38.35 in 13 tests in the last couple of years. He alongside Kane Williamson will be the pillars of the New Zealand batting line-up.
Henry Nicholls will be slotted at number 5. He has been consistent in the last 2 years and has scored 643 runs at an average of 40.12.
BJ Watling will bat at 6. He has been one of the top performers for the Kiwis in the past couple of years. He has 677 runs in 12 games and averages 40.17. Watling is their go-to man in case of a collapse.
IND vs NZ World Test Championship Final: Kiwi All-Rounders
Colin de Grandhomme and Daryl Mitchell are the two contenders for the all-rounder’s spot. De Grandhomme has had some fitness issues in recent times and his performance isn’t that great either. He has 365 runs in 7 Tests at an average of 36.50 in the last two years.
Daryl Mitchell on the other hand is in outstanding form. He has 226 runs in 4 innings of 4 tests at an average of 75.33 during that time. Mitchell should and will be given preference over De Grandhomme.
Kyle Jamieson too can bat and is more than handy with the bat. He can score some quick runs down the order at number 8.
India’s Top Five Run Scorers In The World Test Championship 2021