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The first-ever World Test Championship final will be played between India and New Zealand in Southampton starting tomorrow. Both the teams have already announced their 15-man squads for the final. Each team’s final 11, to be announced on match day, will depend on both conditions and team balance. Let’s take a look at the combination questions both teams face before the big final.
Do India play both the spinners or an extra batter?
Southampton is one of the most spin-friendly venues in England. Though this spin friendliness is relative, there won’t be any exaggerated turn on offer, and it depends heavily on the weather conditions. Still, India have in their 15 two of the best spinners in world cricket today. So do India play both Ashwin and Jadeja, or do they play an extra batter in Hanuma Vihari?
Vihari has played county cricket for Warwickshire this season and has only scored one 50+ score in six innings. Also, Jadeja has been performing exceptionally well as a test batsman of late, and Ashwin at eight is a dependable bet as well. Playing both of them gives India decent enough batting depth along with a strong 5-man bowling attack.
So if the weather remains dry, expect both Ashwin and Jadeja to play. However, if the team management thinks seam and swing will play a more prominent role, India may well go for extra batting cover and play Vihari and one of Ashwin or Jadeja.
Do New Zealand go with a specialist spinner or a seam-bowling allrounder?
Going into the final, NZ have the distinct advantage of playing and winning a two-match test series against England. This series also gave them an opportunity to figure out their best 11 for the final.
Mitchel Santner played the first test match but is not a part of the 15 for the final. Ajaz Patel was the spinner for the second test and performed his role admirably. Colin de Grandhomme played only the first test against England and played his role of bowling dry overs of steady medium-fast swing bowling perfectly. He also provides New Zealand with a capable batting option at 7.
Who among these two plays will ultimately come down to conditions again. New Zealand will have to go with a frontline spinner if it remains dry, and Patel will play with Jamieson batting at 7. If conditions are overcast, then expect Grandhomme to get the nod ahead of Patel.
