Six Test matches in sub-continent will be great challenge for us: New Zealand skipper Tim Southee

 Tim Southee (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Red-ball skipper Tim Southee expressed his excitement ahead of New Zealand’s run of nine Test matches, especially the first six, which will be played in the sub-continent. The Kiwis are set to play a first-ever Test match against Afghanistan next week in Greater Noida to start their red-ball challenge in the sub-continent.

After the one-off encounter against the Blue Tigers, New Zealand will head to Galle to take on Sri Lanka in a two-match Test series. The Blackcaps will eventually end their sub-continental tour with a three-match Test series in India against Rohit Sharma and Co. Southee believes his players will embrace the challenge and urged the fans to support the team as they look to make a big impact on Asian soil.

“Yeah, I think if you look at it as a whole six Test matches in the in the subcontinent, it’s exciting. Great challenge for the side. We have had some guys have been playing cricket. Some guys have been a part of the camps we have had here in New Zealand. So yeah, we’re looking forward to getting snuck into some Test cricket. It is an exciting chunk for the Test side, and I guess the Test fans to get in behind the side for nine test matches in a in a short space of time,” Southee said in a video posted by the official account of New Zealand cricket.

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New Zealand picked five spinners in their squad for their Only Test against Afghanistan. Fast bowlers Will O’Rourke and Ben Sears are set to play their maiden overseas Tests, having already represented the national team in whites back home.

“Yeah, they are still new to the red ball format, but we have seen in the other formats what a side they can be. Just recently in the T20 World Cup last year in the One-Day World Cup. They have had some great success in those other two formats, and I’m sure as a country, they want to have success in the longer format as well,” Southee stated.

The right-arm seamer also spoke about his preparations, asserting that he is eager to do well in the longest format of the game after having a good stint in The Hundred 2024 for Birmingham Phoenix. “Yeah, everybody is good, had a bit of a mix between breaks and obviously went over to the UK. I played in The Hundred and had a couple of camps here as well. So I’m looking forward to getting back to some Test cricket.”

Meanwhile, the New Zealand team arrived at the team hotel in Greater Noida on Thursday, September 5. The one-off Test begins on Monday, September 9.