NEW DELHI: Despite Ben Stokes’ team’s crushing defeat in Pakistan, New Zealand expect England to continue playing their attacking style of cricket when they play the Black Caps in the forthcoming home Test series.
Rejuvenated with a 3-0 thumping of India, New Zealand will play England in three Tests beginning in Christchurch on November 28.
England’s aggressive test batting style, known as “Bazball,” came under scrutiny when they lost 1-2 in Pakistan.
New Zealand captain Tom Latham was not convinced that the tourists would alter their strategy in New Zealand, despite former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Vaughan stating that “Bazball” had reached its limit against Pakistan.
“They’ve got an attacking brand that they like to play and I’m sure it will be no different in terms of how they like to approach it,” Latham told reporters on Thursday after arriving back from India.
“We’re looking forward to it. It’ll be a great challenge.”
Three years after winning the first World Test Championship, New Zealand’s 3-0 thumping of India has given them a new chance to get to the final.
Australia, India, and Sri Lanka are ahead of the Black Caps, who are currently in fourth place. Sixth place goes to England.
Latham claimed that while playing England was a “big carrot” for New Zealand, they weren’t considering the long-term effects.
“If we’re able to play some good cricket then those sort of things take care of themselves,” he said.
“But for us it’s just about enjoying our cricket as much as we can.
“(It’s) completely different conditions, we’re against a completely different team. We’re going to have to, again, be at our best, so yeah, it’s another exciting opportunity.”