Former New Zealand coach, Mike Hesson feels the team playing two Tests against England ahead of the World Test Championship final against India can create workload management issues for the Black Caps. In an interview with PTI, Hesson also had some advice for the Indian team as he suggested opening with Mayank Agarwal instead of retaining the combination of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.
Mike Hesson pointed out, “New Zealand will have to look at the bowling attack and that’s potentially why Trent Boult will play this game (second Test against England from Thursday. That will give one of those other quicks to rest potentially because it’s only four days between each Test. So, three on the bounce is a big deal, especially if you put in 45 to 50 overs in the second Test, or they just decide to manage the workloads which is not something you usually do going into a Test match.”
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Hesson feels India will go with Rohit and Gill to open but wants Agarwal, who lost his spot in the eleven after two Tests in Australia, to be given a chance. Agarwal was the team’s leading run-getter in the away series against New Zealand last year when India lost 0-2.
MIke Hesson explained, “They will probably go with Rohit and Shubman but I think Mayank needs to be considered. He has faced the New Zealand attack in New Zealand, where he would have got some crucial experience.”
On India’s preparation going into the final compared to New Zealand, he said: “Look match practice is always useful. You know every ground is different though. Southampton is quite unique in terms of its ground so sure match practice is helpful. But India have got a big enough squad to where they can have intra-squad games to get some training done out in the middle so I think come the first day of the final, I don’t think it will be a big deal.”
Former Kiwi coach thinks the Indian batsman will get good preparation while facing their fast bowlers with the moving ball. With the spinners expected to come into play later in the game, Hesson said R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja must play alongside three pacers.
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Mike Hesson said, “That (Ashwin and Jadeja) gives India a really good balance. It gives you five frontline bowlers which means you can attack both left and right-handers and New Zealand has got five left-handers and six- right handers.”
