WTC Final: New Zealand coach Gary Stead happy to have fast bowling options

London, June 16: New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said it's a nice problem to have to choose between in-form pacers Matt Henry and Kyle Jamieson for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC Final) against India, starting on Friday (June 18).

"Yeah I mean it's a nice problem to have," Stead said during a press conference. "Matt bowled beautifully in that Test match [against England]. He is always been with this group more recently and as a backup option for us, someone who is there. We know Mat's ability well."

Matt Henry was adjudged as Player of the Match for his 6/114 in the 2nd Test against England at Edgbaston and is now one of the favourites to start for Blackcaps in the WTC final.

Meanwhile the exploits of Kyle Jamieson during the home season cannot be ignored as the quick bagged thirty-six wickets in six Test matches at an average of 13.27.

Earlier this month, India head coach Ravi Shastri floated an idea of making the WTC final a best-of-three contest to be played like a three-match series to decide the winner. Adding to the discussion of best-of-three final, Gary said, "Certainly not against that. The harder thing is to find the time in ICC calendar and make it work."

India and New Zealand will lock horns in the WTC final, slated to begin on June 18 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. The winners of this final will take home a purse of USD 1.6 million along with the ICC Test Championship Mace.

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Story first published: Wednesday, June 16, 2021, 14:02 [IST]
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