Published: Sep 08, 2015, 05:28 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 08, 2015, 09:46 AM (IST)
After a two-month long break following their England series, New Zealand‘s new ball duo of Tim Southee and Trent Boult say they are prepared and motivated to take on the challenge of a Test series in Australia. The Test series is scheduled for a November start and the duo have already started preparations following a well deserved break. Boult picked a minor back injury mid-way through the England series and was sent home, he then missed New Zealand’s limited overs tour to Africa. Southee was purposefully rested for that series too. But, they’re back in action now. Trent Boult: I used to love watching Wasim Akram
“This team’s grown a lot in the last few years and ticked off some great achievements,” Southee said to New Zealand Herald. “But we’re by no means finished. A series win in Australia would rate highly. One series win in our history shows the difficulty.”
“I’ve played there [at the ‘Gabba] twice and we’ve been beaten convincingly. They must have confidence turning up knowing how much success they have there. It tends to swing and have pace in the wicket,” Southee explained. “However, there are a number of us with fond memories of playing in Hobart. It’s nice to know it can be done,” he said in reference to New Zealand’s historic Test win against Australia. Trent Boult, Tim Southee agree on pink ball for Day-Night Tests
That match was Boult’s debut and he has vivid memories of the same. “I remember the morning of it,” Boult said.. “Dan [Vettori] was under an injury cloud and Wrighty [former coach John Wright] came up and said, ‘you’re in’. I was pretty fresh and naive, and my heart was racing. A lot has happened since.”
“After the England series, I’ve been working on my body in the gym to get back into shape. I’m itching for these eight weeks to hurry up so I can get to the ‘Gabba and get into it. There’s not much more motivating in the game than a three-test series there,” Boult concluded.
