The final of the World Test Championship between India and New Zealand will be played in Southampton from 18 to 22 June. New Zealand have strengthened their preparations by playing a two-Test series against England. At the same time, Team India, led by Virat Kohli, has played intra-squad matches only after reaching England. Meanwhile, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen believes India may have lost a little bit of practice in the WTC final. Taking the jibe at the Indian team, he said that you cannot prepare for the Test matches in England by playing the IPL.
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In his article for Betway, Peterson said: “New Zealand’s preparations for the World Test Championship final are excellent. They have played two Tests against England and played the best cricket of both. The team’s record is very poor on the England ground, having lost three Test series in England, losing 1-4 in 2018, 1-3 in 2014 and 0-4 in 2011.
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Peterson added, ‘New Zealand’s fast bowling attack was tremendous against England. Tim Southee made a strong showing at Lord’s and then Matt Henry at Edgbaston, who would not even play the final. You only get one or two chances in a one-off Test match and I am afraid that India is falling behind in the making. New Zealand have recently won the Test series in England for 22 years after defeating England 1-0 in a two-match Test series.
