Dion Nash feels Tim Southee must step up in Trent Boult's absence

CHENNAI: New Zealand medium-pacer Tim Southee made his international debut back in 2008, almost three years before Trent Boult came into the scene. However, Boult didn't take long to become NZ's spearhead and Southee began playing the second fiddle.
The India-New Zealand series - which starts off with the first Twenty20 between the two sides in Auckland on Friday - will see Southee taking over the role that Boult essays since the latter is out due to a hand injury.Former NZ skipper and selector Dion Nash feels the time has come for Southee to showcase his true worth. "I think (it's time for) Southee to step up a level. He has played so much cricket and is such a valued player. We need him in the front to lead the group," Nash told TOI via an email interaction on Thursday. Southee is an experienced campaigner who has 71 Tests, 140 ODIs and 66 T20s to his credit.
The absence of Boult and medium-pacer Lockie Ferguson - out due to calf injury - means that NZ has a largely inexperienced pace attack in Hamish Bennett, Scott Kuggeleijn and Blair Tickner. "Both Scott and Blair are exciting young players with points to prove, and we will (also) see the return of Hamish who hits the bat hard. This group will be competitive if they can gel quickly as a unit," assessed Nash.
NZ arrive into this series after being humbled by Australia earlier this month. The 48-year-old former NZ all-rounder feels seniors in the Kane Williamson's side will have to deliver if they are to compete with top sides like India. "Before the Australia series, we were all very positive about this group. Maybe, we have had a reality check since that series. They are a good side, but to compete head-to-head against the best they need to have more of the leaders and senior players step up," he said.
Nash is eager to see how Jasprit Bumrah will shape up against the Kiwis. "It's incredible to watch how much pace he generates from a short run-up and also his awkwardness. I will be watching him closely.
Will the series be a tussle between two sturdy pace attacks? "A pace attack to be called 'sturdy' is like being called nice on a date! Pace attacks want to be called dangerous or nasty. So, if we have two sturdy attacks - to me - this means the bat will dominate. And maybe that will be the case. But generally speaking, I believe the side with the best bowling attack wins matches, so let's see who prevails," said Nash.