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Tim Southee rates Test cricket as 'most treasured' format ahead of WTC final against India

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New Zealand pacer Tim Southee is ecstatic at the prospect of playing the final of the World Test Championship in the format he said is most treasured for him. He said that it will be an unusual setting to face the Indian side in England but the highly competitive nature of both sides is expected to offer a great contest in the WTC final.

"I love Test cricket. For me, it's my most treasured format. I love all three, but Test cricket is something that really gets the blood boiling. Being the first [World Test Championship final] it will be pretty special as well. India in England is unusual on its own, but it's great to test yourself against one of the best sides and they have been for a long period of time. It should be a great match,” Southee said in an interview with stuff.co.nz.

Tim Southee made his Test debut way back in 2008 against England and the 32-year-old often faces the question of how long can he continue playing for the Blackcaps. 

Dismissing talks surrounding his age, Southee said that age is just a number as long as an individual is able to match the high standards of international cricket. He also pointed to the example of James Anderson and said that the Englishman is still ruling the world at the age of 38 years.

"As long as you’re still able to perform and reach those high standards it takes to represent your country then I think age is only a number. You look at the likes of James Anderson who is 38. He’s still arguably bowling as well as he ever has. Think cricketers in general look after themselves a lot better. We're a lot fitter as a group; we train a lot on the strength and conditioning side of things. I think you’ll see players play for longer," the Kiwi quick added.

Southee will be facing England in a two-match long Test series starting June 02 before the WTC final against India. He has done well against England in the past and Kane Williamson will bank on him to swing games in Blackcaps’ favour in the series against England and WTC final against India.

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