Kyle Jamieson was definitely the standout player in WTC final, admits Dale Steyn

New Zealand emerged as the inaugural champions of the World Test Championship after their eight-wicket win over India on the reserve day (Wednesday) in Southampton.  Kyle Jamieson was awarded as the player of the match for his magnificent bowling spell as he picked seven wickets in the game where he dismissed Indian skipper Virat Kohli on two occasions. 

South Africa’s ace bowler Dale Steyn has applauded the lanky bowler from Auckland, who has claimed a staggering 46 wickets, laced by five five-wicket hauls, from the eight Test matches he's played. Steyn called Jamieson the ‘standout player’ in the final match and also feels that the breakthrough star looks set to have a memorable career. 

“Look at the economy rate, that is pretty phenomenal, Jamieson was definitely the standout player, him and Southee bowled well. Jamieson is on a role right now, since he made his debut, and just gets better and better. He is looking strong for the rest of the year and for the rest of his Test career,” Steyn said on ESPNcricinfo.  

On the other hand, Indian bowlers failed to put New Zealand under control, despite Ravichandran Ashwin giving them hope with early wickets of openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway. Mohammed Shami, who bowled brilliantly in the first innings, couldn’t replicate his show on the reserve day, while Bumrah too was off colour. Steyn said that Indian bowlers were underprepared for the game and hopes for them to make a comeback against England in August. 

“You could see a very rare Test match where someone like Bumrah go wicketless, Shami stood up a little bit in the first innings and showed he was capable of his skill. I just think the Indian bowlers were underprepared and hopefully they get better as they play against England," asserted Steyn. 

India will play England in a five-match Test series which starts on August 4 in Nottingham. In February they had outwitted the Englishmen on home soil via a 3-1 triumph.