New Zealand Coach Gary Stead Aims for India Whitewash, WTC FInal: “We’ve Done It Before”

October 30, 2024 0 493

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Stead Confident About India Whitewash

New Zealand coach Gary Stead expressed hope for a WTC final spot as his team sought a series whitewash against India in the upcoming Mumbai Test.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead has expressed hope that his team can secure a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final by winning their remaining matches, including a crucial victory in the upcoming Mumbai Test to complete a clean sweep over India.

New Zealand previously won the inaugural WTC title in 2021 by defeating India, a journey that saw them facing similar must-win scenarios. This time, the Blackcaps need to win their remaining four Tests, one against India and three against England, to qualify for the final in the 2023-25 cycle.

Reflecting on their successful WTC campaign in 2021, Stead voiced optimism about a repeat performance, telling the New Zealand media, as quoted by Reuters, “The first time we were in the situation of qualifying for the first WTC final, we had to win four tests on the bounce, and we managed to. Hopefully, that’s something we can lean on and say, ‘we’ve done it before, here’s an opportunity to perhaps do something very special again.'”

Adapting to Mumbai Pitch for Series Sweep

New Zealand has the chance to become the first team since South Africa in 2000 to defeat India in a home Test series with a whitewash. Stead emphasised that adapting quickly to the red clay pitch at Wankhede Stadium, a contrast to the black soil surfaces where they secured their first two wins, will be essential.

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“A series win in itself is incredible, but what we want to do is keep trying to get better every game, and we’re going to different circumstances now. The red clay is very different, so we’re going to have to adapt quickly. Our next two trainings are going to be important, but for the WTC itself, there’s no doubt one more win would certainly help us,” Stead said, highlighting the unique challenges posed by Mumbai’s pitch conditions.