BJ Watling believes there is nothing like preparing to play a Test match at Lord’s.
The 29-year-old wicket-keeper batsman, who has been the stand in skipper for the New Zealand XI for the two warm up games, says the BLACKCAPS are better prepared than they were two years ago heading to the Home of Cricket.
“The first time playing here two years ago was quite exciting,” said Watling, who boasts a Test average of 38.
“Hopefully we have learnt from that experience; the atmosphere is different to playing at any other venue in the world.”
Eight of the current BLACKCAPS squad – Watling, Brendon McCullum, Hamish Rutherford, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Trent Boult – played in that Test match in 2013 at Lord’s that New Zealand lost by 170 runs.
The Kiwis were right in the game until at match winning performance from Stuart Broad changed the momentum.
He blew away New Zealand with career-best figures of 7 for 44 as England bowled out the BLACKCAPS for 68 in the second innings.
Broad took the first five of his wickets in 5.4 overs before lunch to crush New Zealand’s hopes on day four.
“I think we will [be better prepared],” said Watling. “I think that we learnt that in England things can change pretty quickly over here, whether that is due to the overhead conditions or whatever. There might be a tough period that we might have to get through. We didn’t quite do it back then in 2013 but I would back us to do it now.”
Watling, who is rated by many as the finest Test wicket-keeper batsman in the world, expected that the BLACKCAPS would play an aggressive brand of cricket that has served them well.
“We are just going to play the cricket we have been playing for the past 18 months. I don’t think that is going to change too much, it will depend on the conditions but we intend to carry on playing a positive brand of cricket. Hopefully that leads to a Test win at Lord’s and a series win over England.”
Watling has done a fine job leading the side in the warm up matches – they beat Worcestershire by 15 runs and Somerset by 66 runs - but he is only too happy to pass the captaincy back to McCullum.
“I’m ready to hand it over. We had a good couple of game and tough games. I thoroughly enjoyed it but I am more than happy to pass it back to Brendon.”
New Zealand win by 66 runs at Taunton
Watling, who hit 142 not out in his last Test against Sri Lanka, in what was a world record stand with Williamson, said the close fought final day at New Road where the NZXI took the final six wickets for 22 runs to win, was exactly what the team needed.
“It was definitely good to get put under some pressure. I think the bowlers stepped up to put us in a winning position and it was good to come out the other end. The boys will be better off for it.”
New Zealand XI find a way to win at Worcester
Watling fielded plenty of questions around the England team, the Kevin Pietersen saga, and the idea that the BLACKCAPS are favourites but he played a straight bat.
“We haven’t focused too much on what they have been doing. We have been focusing on our two warm up games and preparing for the first day of the Lord’s Test which is always a pretty special occasion. We haven’t got too involved in the England side of things but I am sure that they will be ready to go on Thursday.”
He said the players who have come in from India from the IPL are all world class and experienced players and would get up to speed quickly.
The Test team, that is now third in the ICC World Rankings, is looking forward to continuing their momentum.
“We are coming in off the back off the back of six Test series where we haven’t lost so that breeds some confidence, but we know that we are coming up against a tough English side. Jimmy Anderson is a world class bowler and he could put us under pressure. The experience from last time should come into play and we should be better off for it and learnt our lessons.”
First Test: England v BLACKCAPS at Lord’s from Thursday May 21.
