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WTC Final: Vaughan, Cook back New Zealand to take top honours; Isa Guha backs quality Indian side

Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook have backed New Zealand to win the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India.

WTC Final: Vaughan, Cook back New Zealand to take top honours; Isa Guha backs quality Indian side

London, June 17: Former England captains Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook have backed New Zealand to win the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against India. The duo believes that the Kane Williamson-led side has the ability to play long periods of disciplined cricket and have got acclimatised to the English conditions.

New Zealand and India - the finalists of the two-year-old WTC - are set to lock horns in the marquee clash starting Friday (June 18) at Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

WTC Final: India vs New Zealand: Battle of bowlers looms at Ageas Bowl; a welcome change too!WTC Final: India vs New Zealand: Battle of bowlers looms at Ageas Bowl; a welcome change too!

Vaughan told BBC, "I fancy New Zealand. I know I'm going to get absolute pelters on social media for going against India. But the way New Zealand played in the two Tests against England, I think they're going to do it. They are a high-class cricket team - I like every aspect of their game.

"New Zealand play long periods of disciplined cricket, with bat and ball. They bat with great maturity and read the situation perfectly. "If you analyse Test cricket, generally it is the side that are able to cover all the bases the longest that wins, and New Zealand are able to do that because they have a very skilful bowling attack," he added.

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The Blackcaps must be high on confidence with their recent Test series win over hosts England, despite missing several regular players in their 8-wicket win in the second Test last week. While the last red-ball match India featured in was in March against England at home.

Former English skipper Cook believes New Zealand's match sharpness will work in the favour of Kane Williamson and company. "New Zealand are going to win. They're two matches further into match-sharpness after the series win against England - they're used to playing under pressure and in English conditions."

WTC Final: India has set bar really high, will be a tough opposition, says Ross TaylorWTC Final: India has set bar really high, will be a tough opposition, says Ross Taylor

Cook, who amassed 12,472 in 161 Tests for England, suggested the Kiwis include left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel in the playing XI. "The only thing they've got to deal with is the selection question - and getting the balance of the side right. I hope they go in with Ajaz Patel, the left-arm spinner.

"But that means one of their big four seam bowlers - Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner or Matt Henry - who have done such a good job for them, isn't going to play," he added.

BJ Watling hoping his 'one hell of a journey' ends with WTC highBJ Watling hoping his 'one hell of a journey' ends with WTC high

Former England women's speedster-turned-analyst Isa Guha, meanwhile, backed the Virat Kohli-led Indian side and said they have the depth in their squad with quality batters and an equally potent bowling attack.

WTC Final: Performance of top 6 batsmen of India, NZ during World Test Championship; Rohit, Williamson shineWTC Final: Performance of top 6 batsmen of India, NZ during World Test Championship; Rohit, Williamson shine

"I'm going to go for India. They have got tremendous depth in their squad, the big guns are back and they are a quality outfit under the leadership of Virat Kohli. "They've got an unbelievable top six -Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant are a world-beating line-up and they've got pace bowlers to back it up. "They have a wonderful bowling attack, probably the best in the history of Indian cricket," Guha said.

(With PTI inputs)

Story first published: Thursday, June 17, 2021, 13:13 [IST]
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