WTC Final – Ageas Bowl curator aims to prepare pitch with pace, bounce and carry

The big World Test Championship final is a few days away and the excitement among the cricket fans is going through the roof.

The WTC final is all set to be played at Ageas Bowl, Southampton between ranked no. 1 Test team, New Zealand and ranked no. 2 side India.

It is always noticed that the pitch conditions play a key role in the outcome of the match. The Ageas Bowl, Southampton curator Simon Lee has confirmed that he will try to prepare a pitch with pace, bounce and carry.

It was noticed in the past that the Southampton pitch generally suits the spinner. In fact, Moeen Ali had scalped nine wickets in the 2018 Test match against India at the same venue.

India is expected to play two spinners in Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja but if the pitch will offer more pace, bounce and carry, they might ponder on including an extra fast bowler in their team. In that case, it will be interesting to note India’s playing combination.

On the other hand, New Zealand has a potent pace battery and they are expected to include fast bowlers like Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and Kyle Jamieson. There is a lot of variety in Kiwis bowling attack and they will look to make the most of favourable English conditions.

“Having the WTC final here at the Ageas Bowl is pretty massive. I feel lucky to have the chance to produce a pitch for potentially the biggest game of test cricket ever staged. It’s a huge opportunity,” Lee told ESPNcricinfo.

“For me personally I just want to get something out that has some pace, bounce and carry in the pitch. “It can be a hard thing to do in England as the weather doesn’t help us most of the time, but the forecast in the build-up is good with a lot of sun, so we are hopeful that we’ll get some pace and a hard pitch without over-rolling it and killing it.

It will be interesting to note the conditions which will be on offer. If it will be typical English conditions then there is no doubt that New Zealand bowlers will have their wood on the Indian batsmen. However, it should be noted that India also has a potent bowling unit.

The WTC final takes place at Ageas Bowl, Southampton from June 18.