Williamson relying on inexperienced Ajaz and Somerville
Kanpur, Nov 24 (PTI): Kane Williamson is aware that spin is a “big component” in a Test series in India and expects his specialist slow bowlers — left-arm orthodox Ajaz Patel and off-spinner William Somerville — to adapt to the conditions quickly and make a difference.
New Zealand were hammered in Kanpur back in 2016 with Ravichandran Ashwin playing a big part and skipper Williamson knows what to expect in this part of the world.
“Throughout the whole series, spin component will be a definite factor,” Williamson said on the eve of the first Test.
“Number of teams have faced similar challenges and our expectation won’t be any different. There will be a large spin component.”
On one side, there is Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja with nearly 700 wickets between them while the Black Caps will rely on Patel and Somerville, who have so far collectively taken 41 sticks in 13 games (4 for Somerville).
“Spin factor is going to be there and someone like Ajaz and Somerville have played big part in our bowling attack. Particularly, in these conditions, so they will play an important role for us. There will be some reverse swing, we will try to create ways to get wickets so there will be role for both seamers and spinners,” Williamson said.