New Zealand’s Trent Boult says he’s looking forward to bowling at India captain Virat Kohli in the upcoming Test series.
Boult has been away since breaking his hand in the Boxing Day Test against Australia last year. He returns in time to feature for New Zealand in the two-match Test series.
New Zealand lost the T20I series but hit back to whitewash India in the ODI series. The two sides will now go head-to-head for two Test matches in Wellington and Christchurch. The first Test takes place in Wellington on Thursday.
Boult ready for Kohli challenge
Returning Black Caps paceman Boult is ready to test himself against the best once more.
He said: “I'm very excited to bowl to Virat again,” Boult said. “He's an exceptional player. Everyone knows how great he is. That is personally why I play the game, to get guys like that out and test myself against them, so I can't wait to get stuck in.
“I suppose breaking a hand, you don't really know how much you use it until it's broken.
“It's been nice just to be able to bowl. I had some time away from the game and having my second son a couple of weeks ago, it actually came at quite a good time, but I'm hungry to be here and can't wait to get back in the whites and get the red ball moving around.”
New Zealand to face a tough challenge
Boult is fully aware of the talent India possesses but is keen for New Zealand to hit back from that previous Test humbling in Australian.
He added: “I'm preparing for a solid wicket. It generally is very good here and goes the full distance (five days).
“They [India] are a great side and they are leading the ICC Test Championship. They are very clear on how they wanted to play the game. It was a tough learning curve in Australia but it's going to be good place to see where we are in terms of bouncing back from the defeat in Australia.”
