Caps play I spy: Keeping close watch on India at Rose Bowl

Hotel bookings have played into the hands of the Black Caps and India as they ramp up preparations ahead of their inaugural World Test Championship final starting tonight in Southampton.

The Black Caps come off a dominant showing against England in their two-test series, with victory in the second match at Edgbaston by eight wickets.

While the first encounter at Lord’s was a draw, it was a case of weather robbing the Black Caps of a likely win rather than their own or their opposition’s hand.

It will add needed buoyancy to the step of the New Zealand players, given it has been 16 months since they faced India in any format. But if they wanted any more insight in how to dethrone the Indian outfit, who finished top of the World Test Championship table, the Kiwis only need to look outside their bedroom windows to catch a glimpse.

Batsman Henry Nicholls says they’re back at the hotel they stayed at when first arriving in England, directly next to the Rose Bowl cricket ground in Southampton.

“They’re [India] also staying on the hotel; they’re in the third floor above us. We trained [in the] morning, they train in the afternoon, and then vice versa,” he said.

“We’re obviously in a bubble as well so you don’t get really get too much close contact, but we had a wee look while they were training on the main ground and saw a few of their bowlers which was good.”

The test final in Southampton will also mark the return to the pitch for Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson who has been named in the 15-man squad to be trimmed down to 11 ahead of day one.