Tim Southee, the captain of New Zealand men’s test team has praised India’s spearhead bowler Jasprit Bumrah for his performances in all three formats saying he has been a force to reckon with since returning from an 11-month back injury hiatus.
Southee is just the second cricketer after Australia’s Ricky Ponting to hail Bumrah as world’s best and complete bowler.
Bumrah came back on time for last year ODI World Cup where he claimed 20 wickets. He had taken 19 wickets too in four Test matches against England earlier this year. As India won the Men’s T20 World Cup in June, Bumrah took 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.17, therefore earning himself Player of the Tournament title.
“He’s been incredible obviously to be able to firstly bounce back from the major injury he had and come back and he’s even better than what he was beforehand and then throw in on top of that having to juggle multiple formats can be difficult at times as well and he seems to have been able to do that with ease as well,” said Southee according to IANS.
“He is probably more seasoned now, knows his game a tad better. Maybe even that injured period before returning helped him recharge his individual batteries you know. We’ve seen a great version of Jasprit Bumrah across all three formats. He is brilliant across all three at present. I don’t think there is anyone whom he does not perform well in while playing any format. A truly tremendous player,” told Southee during a press conference on Cricket Rating Awards show in Mumbai.
In September New Zealand will play Afghanistan one Test match at Greater Noida before going to Sri Lanka for two-match test series later in the month. In October, they will return again for three-match series against India before going home on plane to host England’s three Test matches.
Southee added that it was not necessary for him to play every test match in subcontinental conditions if there is a new playing eleven balance required.
Obviously, it is only natural when you come to this part of the world that spin makes a big difference. But ultimately I would like to play in all the available test matches. I enjoy test cricket but know. It is not easy either and there has to be a balance in the side.
“We’ve got nine test matches coming up and so there’s a lot of test cricket”. “So it’s all about workload management.” “But as long as you are fit and ready then I’d love to play every game.”
Southee explained how New Zealand makes its work load choices saying. “Well it changes from game to game, sometimes players have niggles. However that can also change. So you might actually want someone else if conditions are like they were at Wellington”.
“You’re picking your best side for each Test match across five days.” He added. “We have got quite a bit of cricket in the subcontinent six Test matches and three Test matches back home.” So there is a huge amount of Test Cricket to look forward to over the next few months.
However, despite Southee claiming that Devon Conway, Finn Allen, and Kane Williamson had declined central contracts with New Zealand Cricket for the 2024-2025 season. He noted that the first two will be available for most Blackcaps Tests.
“For Kane and Devon they are still committed to New Zealand cricket,” he said. “The upcoming series includes nine Tests. They are committed towards these tests; they believe in putting their best foot forward as far as their test team goes on tour. It stays true wherever you go”.
Southee commented “The selection process is based around who we think is going to give us our best chance of winning over five days.” “In the subcontinent alone we have six tests followed by three more at home,” he continued. “Therefore we have some really exciting things ahead with regard to Test Cricket over the next few months,” he continued.
Southee said that despite Kane Williamson and Devon Conway declining central contracts with New Zealand Cricket for the 2024-2025 season. They would still be involved in most of Blackcaps Tests.
“As far as test cricket goes, those two will certainly be heavily involve in our nine test matches that take us through to year end. And I’d really like to see some way. Where the international and domestic competitions can work around each other because especially for Test cricket. It’s still the pinnacle format for a lot of players.”
Southee said when asked about how T20 cricket is evolving and what impact this could have on player availability for international fixtures that he doesn’t know. “I don’t know right now, and I don’t think many people do. Each board has to decide what is best for itself as well as its players.”
