Kiwi Latham bats for WTC _ Gordon D’Costa

 

Kiwi Latham bats for WTC

Gordon D’Costa

Mumbai, October 31: With the increase in the number of T20 international matches being played around the world Test cricket has lost its popularity among the die-hard cricket enthusiasts who swear by the shorter format of the game.

However, New Zealand’s left-handed opener and captain, Tom Latham, has given the thumbs up to Test cricket and praised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the introduction of the World Test Championship (WTC).

Latham, who was given the mantle of leadership after Tim Southee stepped down after the 2-0 defeat against Sri Lanka in September, expressed strong support to the WTC. Speaking to media persons at the Wankhede Stadium, Latham said, “As such, I think the introduction of the World Test Championship over the last five or six years has been fantastic. I think the context, that has been put on Test cricket rather than the bilateral series has been fantastic. I think we’ve probably seen a few more results, in terms of the games that have been played, certainly over the last period of time.”

Latham, further said:  “The context that’s now given to Test cricket is awesome. Being in the position with the first one, being successful, obviously gives you a taste of what that success feels like. I think if you do it once, you want to do it again.

“I am sure they’ll (ICC) keep reviewing what the points system looks like. From my point of view, I just love the context that it's given Test cricket," Latham said when asked if more points should be given for Test and series wins.

 

Feedback from home: We’ve felt a lot of support over here from back home, it’s been pretty special to see the messages and to hear what people are talking about, it is a special occasion that’s happened over the last couple of weeks that we’ve been working hard towards for a long period. To be in the position, we are super excited and we appreciate all the support that we’ve been given back home and also around the world. But we know that’s gone now in terms of those two Test matches so our focus is solely on the third and final Test and what that presents us.

 

Williamson proud of us, India is a quality side: Kane who is recuperating from injury has been following us. I have been in touch with him regularly and I think he's super proud sitting back home watching, he's gutted that he can't be here but I think he's super proud of the work that we've put in and the results that we've got so far. Williamson sustained a groin injury during the tour of Sri Lanka last month, just before the start of the three-match Test series in India.

I think India is a quality side. Things haven’t gone the way they wanted over the last couple of weeks but I said last week it doesn't make them a bad team overnight, they’ve got superstars from 1 to 15 in their squad and we expect them to be at their best tomorrow. Again, a new challenge for both teams, a new surface. I’m sure a surface that they know well and a ground that they know well so I certainly don’t think they have any chance, they’re a quality team and it’s going to be another great battle tomorrow.

Photo : Tom Latham during his knock of 86 runs in New Zealand’s second innings of the second Test match against India at the MCA Stadium, Pune. Photo courtesy: BCCI