Xtra Time Web Desk: New Zealand left arm pacer Neil Wagner has said the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final will be like playing a World Cup final for him. Wagner, who does not play the white ball format for the BlackCaps is looking forward to leave a mark in the WTC final against India at the Ageas Bowl starting June 18.
“Yeah, it is like a World Cup final for me. The biggest disappointment, I guess, in my career is that I’ve never really played a white-ball game for New Zealand or never been able to crack into the T20 or the one-day game. That ship has probably sailed now and I don’t think the opportunity will ever come. For me now, it’s about putting all my focus and energy into Test cricket and to be able to play in a World Test Championship final is like a World Cup for me,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Wagner as saying.
“I know this final is the first and there isn’t a lot of history around it, but it’s the start of something that’s pretty big. To play in a one-off Test final against India – one of the best teams in the world, if not the best team in the world – to be able to test yourself against the best on the highest and biggest stage, that’s what it’s about. It’s extremely exciting, but I don’t want to think too far ahead. Don’t want to let the occasion get to you, just treat it like another Test match and do the same things you do. It’s definitely going to be a special occasion. That’s for sure,” he added.