Monday, 24 May 2021 | PTI | London
Senior New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor feels the suspension of the IPL “played into India’s hands”, giving Virat Kohli’s team more time to get acclimatised to English conditions before next month’s World Test Championship final.
The Indian Premier League, which was suspended earlier this month due to multiple cases of Covid-19 inside its bubble, was due to finish on May 30, while the WTC final between New Zealand and Indian is scheduled to start from June 18 in Southampton.
“For India, IPL finishing early under unfortunate circumstances has probably played into their hands a little,” Taylor told reporters on Sunday.
“If IPL would have gone on they would have had a smaller preparation but now they will be a lot more conditioned, their bowlers will have their loads up,” he added.
However, Taylor reckons New Zealand will still have slight advantage over India as they are are scheduled to play two Tests against England in the run up to the WTC final.
“I would be lying if you think there isn’t some sort of thought about the WTC final but I couldn’t think of a better preparation than playing two Tests against England. At the end of the day it’s a neutral venue.
“Playing two Tests gives us a slight advantage but this Indian team has been number one for a long period of time and has had a lot of success over here,” he added.
The right hander, who has featured in 195 Tests, 233 ODIs and 102 T20Is for New Zealand also squashed rumours regarding his retirement.
“Age is just a number and as long as you’re still enjoying it and feel like you’re good enough and can contribute to the team on and off the field.”
“I did have 35 in my mind because of the 2019 World Cup but I went there and felt I could still contribute, and therefore, I didn’t think just because it was a World Cup it was time to retire, but no I don’t have a number in mind,” he added.
There had been some talks that the BCCI has requested to alter the schedule for India’s five-Test series against England for completing the IPL, something the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has denied.
Asked if he was concerned about the future of international cricket amid T20 leagues’ boom, Taylor said, “IPL is probably the most high-profile and countries move it around when they don’t have the same power. It is what it is, players want to play in it.
“I hope that International cricket still has relevance and priorities at times. As long as things are being moved around it is fine… As long as they aren’t getting cancelled and what not.”
Dukes prep beneficial
New Zealand batsman Devon Conway feels preparing with the Dukes ball back home has helped his side immensely as it gears up for three Tests in England, including the WTC final against India here.
Conway, who is among the three uncapped players in the 20-man squad, feels the camp back home in Lincoln ahead of the tour was ideal. New Zealand play with the Kookaburra at home.
“That was very beneficial for us, you know, having that opportunity to play amongst the Dukes ball, get to learn how it works, and try and formulate a game plan, how to go about things,” Conway said in an online press interaction.
“But yeah, I think not a lot changes. You know, we understand that the Dukes ball does swing a little bit more than than what the Kookaburra does, but you know, you’ve just got to face the ball and come up with a game plan and stick by it,” said the South Africa-born player, who made the team after impressing in limited overs cricket.
During the camp back home, Conway sprinkled cat litter on practice wickets to simulate spin bowling on the rough, hoping it will help him counter the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin during the WTC final.
On his first Test tour, the 29-year-old is trying to soak in as much as he can from established names like Tom Latham and Ross Taylor in his team.
“It has been a massive learning curve for me, in terms of how the protocols are all set set in place, and just trying to adhere through all that. You know, just seeing the guys being around the group for an extended period, it’s been fun. And, yeah, a lot of memories created already in the short period.
“In the Test set up the guys have been here for a very long time. So you know, it’s good to sort of learn from the experience of players that have been at this level, they’ve been playing at this level for a long period.
Adjusting to the cold weather in England is a challenge though, feels Conway.
“…It’s about adapting to the lower degrees. I think that’s a slight challenge in itself but I think, you know, once the body acclimatised to that, it’s about just really understanding what you want to do and not overcomplicate things…,” the southpaw added.
