Kane Williamson‘s New Zealand became the first team to reach the World Test Championship final to be played at Lord’s in June later this year. The postponement of the South Africa-Australia series meant that with 420 points and a percentage of 70.0%, the Kiwis are happily placed for the finals and have enough time for preparations. He opened up on the format and the preparations of his team as he looks forward to the India-England Test series to know whom his team will be playing against.

Kane Williamson spoke to Cricbuzz at length on various issues around the WTC and its format.

“For us, we had the four Tests in front of us. Within those, you saw perhaps some declarations that were quite fair because you understood the carrot at the end was far more valuable than just perhaps this one period of cricket. You really wanted to push for the opportunity to win it,” Williamson said on Thursday.

He further said that with different teams vying for the second spot, it was good to book the first spot among the two.

Really Excited To Have Qualified: Kane Williamson

“It’s really exciting… really chuffed for all the guys. It acknowledges a lot of hard work through the summer. Obviously, COVID changed the qualifying a little bit but it meant a number of teams were in the hunt. Coming into our summer it was going ‘right, if we win these four Tests, that gives us an opportunity to be there’.

Also Read: New Zealand Quality For WTC Final at Lord’s In June

He further spoke about staying away from home when they start travelling. They recently beat West Indies 2-0 in a Test series at home in the month of January with Williamson scoring a 251 in the first Test in Hamilton.

“It’s a fairly lengthy time away… I guess with this day and age with the Covid restrictions and quarantine, I suppose personally staying over there will mean an extra quarantine. It’s an interesting time” said the Kiwi skipper.

Kane Williamson concluded by saying that the workload of his bowlers needs to be managed keeping the finals in mind.

“Player workload is something that’s always discussed and with the added element of the Covid challenge, with quarantine and potential bubbles there’s a physical component but also a mental component that does need to be considered. I’ve got no doubt that those conversations will be had” concluded the Kiwi skipper.

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