Why Brett Lee is backing New Zealand to beat India in IND vs NZ WTC Final? Check Details

The buzz of speculations, predictions and forecasts from the cricket veterans and analysts is gearing up ahead of the inaugural edition of the World Test Championship. The prestigious five-day clash at Southampton starting from June 18 has put the finalists– India and New Zealand at the best of their training drills.

With nearly a fortnight to go for this big ICC event, a big prophecy rose up from the Australian veteran Brett Lee. The former Australian pacer feels that New Zealand might have an edge over India in the WTC final.

Black Caps are better equipped for the conditions, feels Lee

Australia’s bowling great justifies his stand of preferring New Zealand over India in the WTC finals. He feels that Kiwis are more accustomed to conditions favourable for swing bowling.

“…I think it is pretty evenly matched there. I am thinking, though, with the experience of New Zealand because they have bowled in conditions which are similar back home…it may be conducive to fast bowling, to swing bowling. So that is where I think that the Kiwis might have an advantage purely from that fact,” Lee told the ICC’s official website.

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From the purview of batting, Lee feels that the batting unit of both the finalists is equally competent as they have a good exposure to swing bowling.

“Now from a batting point of view, both sides have got batsmen that can play against swing bowling. But I think it comes down to bowling. I think whichever team bowls best will win the final.”

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Lee’s admired captaincy style- Kohli’s or Williamson’s?

The former pacer has all respect for both the captains and the governing style that they deploy. With an intrinsic admiration for Williamson’s calmness, Lee made no clear remarks on Kohli’s leadership.

“Kane is a lot more conservative without being boring. He has got a great cricket brain. I admire his level of calmness. He is a conservative captain, but attacks when he needs to…he is patient, and it works for him and his team…and you look at Kohli, he is more of an aggressive captain. “ the pace great said.

Also read: WTC Final: ICC likely to force ‘Hard Quaratine’ on Team India

Having played under both styles of captaincy during his cricketing days for Australia, Lee opines that right and wrong in terms of captaincy can’t be bracketed.

“There is no right or wrong answer to any of these because I have played under captains who are conservative and captains who are too aggressive,” Lee added.

With the ICC event taking place for the first time, even Lee is excited for the much-awaited event to happen and see who tops the ladder.