NEWS
Follow UsNew Zealand batsman Devon Conway has impressed in the shorter formats so far, but he could be in line to make his Test debut in the series against England. But it will not be easy as he will have to fight it out with Will Young and Tom Blundell for a place at the top. Although Conway bats at No. 3 in domestic cricket, he says that he will grab his opportunity to bat anywhere in the line-up.
"I like to see myself as a guy who bats anywhere really. If the opportunity presents itself to bat up the order in Test cricket or ODIs or Twenty20, I would be happy to take that with both hands. It's just a number. At the end of the day, it's about adjusting to different scenarios and situations of the game and just batting accordingly," the southpaw said.
Conway made a case for a Test debut after putting on 106 with Tom Latham in a warm-up match against Williamson XI against a formidable bowling attack which consisted of Tim Southee, Neil Wagner and Mitchell Santner.
He also admitted that it was quite intimidating to have Kane Williamson watch him bat from gully. "Good opportunity to bat with him [Latham] out in the middle. Fortunately, we are both left-handers, so I could just feed off a couple of things that he was doing. He is very experienced, knows his game inside out," Conway said.
"Just watching how he goes about things, not only in today's game but in training and his discipline around, his shot selection, the way he plays his game, it's pretty awesome to learn from. Just to be there at the other end was pretty exciting and good learnings throughout the day. You've got Kane Williamson there at gully watching you bat. That's pretty intimidating, one of the best guys watching you go about your business."
"Then also fronting up and facing guys like Tim Southee, who have been there for a long time. I didn't get the opportunity to bat with Ross Taylor today, which was a bit unfortunate, but hopefully one day I'll get that chance," Conway who has scored 7,130 first-class runs at 47.21 said.
New Zealand will take on England in a two-match Test series beginning June 2 at Lord's. The Blackcaps will then face India in the World Test Championship (WTC) final in Southampton on June 18.