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England Tests not a warm-up for WTC finals, says New Zealand's Southee
NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand pacer Tim Southee said that he is looking forward to face England in the two-match Test series
New Zealand pacer Tim Southee echoed his teammate Neil Wagner's thoughts on the upcoming two Tests against England that he is not looking at the series as a warm-up for the World Test Championship final against India next month.
"Nah, I think anytime you get a chance to play a Test match for New Zealand, it's an amazing opportunity and it's something that you treasure, so I don't think you would treat them as warm-ups. It's a two-match Test series against England and so our focus is first and foremost on those two matches against England," said in an online press conference on Friday.
The New Zealand team are currently stationed in Southampton as they finished their three-day quarantine and began training. A three-day intra-squad game begins on May 26 at the Ageas Bowl, where six local bowlers who have isolated in advance will help make up the sides.
Southee also said that his team is not worried about hectic schedule where they will be playing three Tests on the trot.
"It's exciting to play three Test matches in a short space of time. It is something that the team doesn't get to do that often. We've come off a bit of a break, which has been nice, and (we have) been able to get some conditioning into our bodies, the guys that have come from the IPL and are going to be playing some cricket," he said.
The 32-year old said that the team have prepared themselves before flying to England last Sunday keeping the long tour in mind.
"So the guys are refreshed in some sort of way, using the next couple of weeks to get ourselves prepared and ready to play three Test matches. They are in quick succession but we have had a chance to prepare physically leading into this with some strength and conditioning stuff. Now, it's just getting our loads to a point over the coming weeks so that we can rock on to those three Test matches," Southee said.
The first Test between England and New Zealand will be played from June 2-6 at Lord's with the second Test scheduled from June 10-14 at Edgbaston. The Kiwis will then return to the Lord's for the WTC final against India from June 18-22.