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WTC final against India will be like World Cup final for me: Neil Wagner
New Zealand fast bowler Neil Wagner feels the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against India is like a World Cup title clash for him as he has never played a white-ball game for his country.
The inaugural WTC final is scheduled to be held in Southampton from June 18-22.
“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,” Wagner was quoted as saying in ‘ESPNCricinfo’. “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,” the 35-year-old added.
In March, India’s leading off-spinner R. Ashwin spoke on similar lines, saying the WTC final will be like a World Cup final for a lot of players who have not often featured in limited over cricket.
The New Zealanders are already in England, preparing for a two-match Test series against the hosts and though he is excitedly looking forward to playing in the WTC final, Wagner said he would not like to let the occasion get the better of him.
"I know this final is the first and there isn't a lot of history around it, but it's the start of something pretty big.
