Tim Southee has this knack of picking crucial wickets.
Asked about the peach of a delivery from him — the ball lifted and left the batsman from the off-stump — to dismiss Cheteshwar Pujara in the Indian second innings of the first Test, he replied, “These are quality players. You have to lift your game.”
It is this combative streak in this 25-year-old swing bowler that has seen him become a vital member of the New Zealand pace attack.
And his association with left-arm swing bowler Trent Boult has dismantled several line-ups over the past two seasons. “I think we complement each other, that’s the key,” he said.
Southee was quick to acknowledge the role of left-arm seamer Neil Wagner. “He runs in hard and somehow manages to get us wickets before the second new ball. This makes it easier for me and Boult to bowl with the second new ball.”
The paceman, who has 107 Test wickets in 30 matches at 30.79, was pleased with how the New Zealand pace bowling pack has performed this season. “We have bowled as a group, kept the pressure and bowled in partnerships. It’s nice to be taking 20 wickets every match.”
Southee was happy that the commitment shown by the team and the support staff was finally beginning to show results. “We have worked very hard over the last two years, much of it had gone unnoticed. Now, we are starting to see the rewards.”
On the conditions at the Basin Reserve, the venue for the second Test, Southee said, “The wind is a major factor here. You should know how to use the wind.”
Southee felt India could come back strongly in the second Test. “They have had a disappointing tour so far. They don’t have Tendulkar, Dravid or Laxman anymore but there are some fine players in there and could come hard at us. They are too good a side to be rolled over.”
Tom Latham, who could make his Test debut here if Ross Taylor is unavailable, said, “It has always been my dream to play Test cricket for New Zealand.”
An opener, Latham said he would be happy to bat in the middle-order for the Kiwis. “I have batted in the middle-order before. I would just play my natural game.”
Latham was delighted that the selectors had shown faith in him. “Be consistent. That’s what I was asked to do. It’s nice to see the rewards.”
