Guwahati, Oct 16: New Zealand great Tim Southee believes India’s fast bowlers have the skills to thrive in conditions when they tour the country for a multi-format series starting October 22.
The tour begins with a three-match T20I series, followed by three ODIs from November 4 and a two-Test series starting November 19.
Southee, who captained New Zealand across all three formats before retiring from international cricket in 2024, said he would particularly enjoy watching Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in New Zealand conditions.
“You look at that bowling attack and I think someone I really enjoy watching bowl is Mohammed Siraj. The energy he brings, the way he runs in all day and the type of bowler he is, there's no reason why he can't have a lot of success in these conditions,” Southee told The Assam Tribune during a virtual conversation facilitated by Sony Sports Network.
India’s ODI squad includes Siraj, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh among the fast bowling options. Veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also returned to the T20I setup after several years.
Southee said Krishna’s recent performances in Test cricket made him another bowler to watch during the tour.
“Other guys like Prasidh Krishna and the likes have had success in the Test game in recent times as well, which is exciting for them,” he said.
While New Zealand is traditionally associated with swing and seam movement, Southee cautioned against assuming that conditions would always favour the bowlers.
“Obviously, people think about New Zealand and think about swing and seam in our conditions, but it's not always the way. Using a Kookaburra ball and the wickets after the first day or two can certainly flatten out. But I think you look at the attack and they are used to playing on pretty flat surfaces as well,” he said.
Southee expects India’s bowlers to embrace the challenge.
“I'd imagine they'll enjoy the challenge of bowling in New Zealand and the conditions that may suit the bowlers and have a little bit in it for them as well,” he said.
Southee finished his international career with 776 wickets across formats, the most by a New Zealand bowler. His 391 Test wickets are second only to Sir Richard Hadlee’s 431 for New Zealand.
Asked what separates a great bowler from a good one, Southee said the ability to perform consistently in different conditions was a defining quality.
“I think when you look at great players, not just bowlers but batters as well, they're able to perform all around the world in different conditions,” he said.
“It’s one thing being able to perform in your own conditions, but I think when you look at the great players, they're able to perform in all conditions around the world. That's the challenge of being an international player. You're faced with so many different conditions worldwide that you have to be able to perform in all of them.”
Southee also highlighted the ability to influence a game when conditions do not naturally favour a player.
“I think the great players are able to have success in all different countries and also in all different phases of the game,” he said.
“You look at great players who are able to make things happen at times when nothing seems like it's happening. So, I think those things probably separate good bowlers, or good players, from great players.”
The T20I series begins in Wellington on October 22, with the ODIs starting in Napier on November 4. The Test series opens in Christchurch on November 19.