India’s new opening pair Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw may be inexperienced but they have enough potential to make a difference in the upcoming two-Test series, thinks senior New Zealand pacer Tim Southee. As Rohit Sharma ruled out due to hamstring injury and KL Rahul not included, Shaw (2 Tests) and Agarwal (9 Tests) will open for India against the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Matt Henry in the series starting on Friday.
“They are missing a couple of guys due to the injury but there are plenty guys who are talented and capable of stepping up when required. They had a good outing in Hamilton. Although, they may be inexperienced but at the same time, they are class players,” Southee said to PTI during a brief interaction on Wednesday.
The venue like Basin Reserve with the cross breeze blowing across the ground could be a threat for India but it will be on them that how quickly they adapt to the conditions.
“Obviously, these are home conditions and it favours us. But there are a number of things that you need to do well in here at the Basin Reserve and India will have to get used to it in the next three days,” Southee commented.
However, India have been the top Test nation for quite some time now and they are currently placed at the top of the points table of ICC World Test Championship.
“It’s a completely different format. India have played great Test cricket for a long period of time so it should be an evenly contested Test series,” he shared.
Moreover, Tim Southee spoke about his long-standing successful pairing in bowling with Trent Boult as well.
“We have complemented each other for long with the left-arm and right arm combination. We are both capable of swinging the ball and knowing each other’s skills for so many years having played a lot of cricket together. We form a good partnership and hopefully we can carry it into the series,” he concluded.