“So, we do have quite a lot of depth and I think it will probably just come down to what are the match-ups depending on the batters that are out there at the time and obviously the combinations that we do look to go for.”
While the presence of a number of left-handers in India’s line-up might keep Wellington on the bench, Raza who can bowl all-sorts spin, including offbreaks and the carrom ball, might have a role to play with the new ball against the left-hand pair of Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan.
Raza had copped a blow on his finger while attempting a return catch against West Indies and spent some time off the field during that game, but has been declared fit for the clash against India. On the eve of the game, Raza both bowled and batted at the nets without apparent discomfort.
“I mean being 6 foot 9 [inches] does help,” Burl said of Muzarabani. “I have to give a lot more credit to Blessing than he has received because he’s been out for about four to six months prior to this tournament [with a back injury]. He obviously had a lot of doubts coming in with his own body and how he was feeling and stuff like that. The success that he has had with the ball has been amazing.
“It’s not something that has only just come about now. He has been doing this in international cricket previously. He’s obviously someone that we’re really happy having in our squad. He’s one of those bowlers that’s obviously 6’9″, and he does kind of come a little bit from beyond the perpendicular. So, jagging the ball back into the righties and across the lefties with that steep bounce does propose quite a lot of a challenge for the batters. So, I’m a lot happier knowing that he’s on my team and not on the opposition (laughs).”
“I think obviously playing high-quality opponents regularly, as well as having a very good bunch of players buying into what I would like to believe a good blueprint and a good process,” Burl said. “But obviously, you still got to execute on the day. So, I think it’s a combination of everything put together and obviously now reaping the rewards.”
