New Zealand have etched its name in the history of the ICC World Test Championship by winning its inaugural edition at Southampton’s Hampshire Bowl on Wednesday against India. After the win, the veteran batsman Ross Taylor, who hit the winning shot by smashing Mohammed Shami towards the square leg for a boundary, said that this win will help to forget the pain of losing the World Cup final against England in 2019.
“2019 World Cup was something very tough for us, this makes up for that. Will sink in a little bit more with time. Family, friends and all the sacrifices they have made for us, this is also for them,” he said at the post-match presentation.
However, the experienced batsman has also added that they are trying to sink in with the fact that they have won the final. The team has performed exceptionally well on the final day where they managed to bowl India out for a chasable total. And then, they convincingly chased down the total despite losing both their openers – Tom Latham and Devin Conway.
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Ross Taylor expressed: “Still sinking in (the feeling being crowned World Champions), but it’s been a long way. Long journey over a couple of years. Lot of rain for a couple days here, but I thought the way team fought from Day 1 and to be with Kane – who has been a fantastic leader for this team for a long time, to be out there in a pressure situation is something I wouldn’t forget. It would have to be a highlight to say you are a world champions. Start of my career we probably didn’t think we there with this quality, but we built a team and stuck together. This is probably for the fans, stuck with us through thick and thin. Hopefully few Kiwis waking up to be proud of us.”
Notably, Kane Williamson led New Zealand have started the inaugural WTC Final as favourites after their recent two-match Test series win against England by 1-0 as well. On the other hand, Team India had last took part in the longer format against England at home earlier this year only. However, India will play a five-match Test series next against England in August.
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“It wasn’t easy to start (when he went in to bat today) and Kane kept reiterating that stick in there it will get easier. Classy Indian side, never gave up. They put us under a lot of pressure. I said to Kane I felt like I had to get forward, definitely took off. World class bowler, thanks to my helmet for saving me. Something I won’t forget and nice to carry through to the end. I won’t forget that,” Ross Taylor concluded.
