Ashwin, Latham will be difference between the two sides in India-NZ series, thinks Scott Styris

Hailing the Tamilnadu spinner as an intelligent bowler, he said, “Ashwin is an intelligent bowler. He has got four types of deliveries: the off-spinner, the arm-ball, the doosra and the carrom ball, and he mixes them up well.”

“The fact that he is able to release deliveries at different speeds from the same action, added brilliancy to his bowling” Styris said in an exclusive interview with The Hindu.

Ahead of the bilateral series, he spoke about the comparison that has been going on between Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Joe Root as to who is the best batsman of recent times and said, “They all are very good. What will separate them is how many runs they get away from home, in challenging foreign conditions. This is why Tendulkar, Lara, Ponting, Dravid and Sehwag were so good.”

Hailing Kane Williamson as a special talent from New Zealand, Styris said, “By the time he finishes his career, he will be the finest batsman New Zealand has produced. I have no doubts about that. He uses his feet, is technically good, and has the temperament,” to The Hindu.  

“He is a calm person, does not get too excited or angry about anything and has the mind-set to be a strong captain.”

The 41-year old Australia-born New Zealand all-rounder said that Tom Latham might be the X-factor for the visiting side in the upcoming series. But, he feels that Ashwin, who has a very good record against the left-handers, might create opportunities for India.