World Test Championship Final: Ex-New Zealand pacer Shane Bond backs Black Caps to win, says toss crucial to teams’ fortunes

New Delhi: Former New Zealand pace spearhead Shane Bond on Tuesday backed his country to beat a star-studded India in the World Test Championship final in Southampton, saying he foresees Kane Williamson winning the toss and his pacers wreaking havoc after that. The much-anticipated match is set to get underway on 18 June. “I think New Zealand are going to win. Game practices going to have a massive impact. I think in India have got a balanced bowling attack. I think they’ll play three seamers and two spinners,” Bond said in a virtual press conference arranged by Star Sports, the official broadcaster of the game. “I think New Zealand will play five seamers, and I think they’ll win the toss and they’ll bowl first,” he added. [caption id=“attachment_9720831” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  File image of former New Zealand pacer Shane Bond. Getty Images[/caption] Bond couldn’t really say what India might do if they win the toss but he expects the Kiwis to dominate should Williamson call it correctly. “…if New Zealand win the toss and bowl as well as they have. I think they’ll they’ll bowl out India cheaply and that ain’t a bad thing,” Bond said. “The risk is if they (NZ) don’t bowl them out, India have got two world-class spinners and are right in the game. “So, it’s the toss that is going to be huge. And that first innings is going to be huge,” he pointed out. Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop, who was part of the same interaction, feels Kohli would be desperate to get his hands on the coveted trophy. “It will be huge for Virat. He has led from the front which is one of the important things for a captain. He’s a batsman who is at the top of his game along with Kane and a select few,” he said. “He would badly want it. For all the good work that he’s done, to have that trophy in the cabinet for himself, his team and country, you can’t substitute that,” he added. Bishop feels India have shown that they “can achieve the impossible” with the way they performed in Australia despite being saddled with an injury-ravaged squad. “After what they accomplished in Australia with all the injuries. They’re a team that can achieve the impossible,” Bishop said. The cricketer-turned-commentator also chipped in on the Indian bowling attack and the possible combination for the showdown at Southampton. “I hold Jasprit Bumrah in very high regard. His skill levels are superb. He has been to England before and performed well. Ishant has a lot of experience of bowling in India and outside. He has been to a couple of tours and has also played county cricket there. He is the elder statesman. Siraj bowled so well in Australia but Shami’s experience and seam position are too good. “If Shami is fit and in good rhythm, I am going with Ishant, Bumrah and Shami as my fast bowlers. I am also going with two spinners. Both (Jadeja and Ashwin) of them bat well and are exellent bowlwrs. For me, that looks a very balanced attack,” Bishop added. New Zealand head into the WTC final on the back of a 1-0 series victory over hosts England.