“Didn't watch the Super Over” - New Zealand coach reacts to watching highlights of 2019 World Cup final

A highlights package of the 2019 World Cup final was being broadcast the same day the New Zealand team went into quarantine ahead of their two-Test series against England.

New Zealand and England were involved in a thrilling match that day, with the latter finally emerging victorious, via the Super Over.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead admitted he did watch portions of the broadcast.

“I did manage to watch it and relive some of those moments but I didn't watch the Super Over. I didn't want to watch it again. I knew what happened," Stead told tvnz.co.nz.

The bulk of the New Zealand Test squad have touched down in the UK in preparation of a two-match series against England and the #WTC21 final against India 🇳🇿https://t.co/LFME6d5FTa

— ICC (@ICC) May 17, 2021

Asked about the timing of the highlights reel, Stead joked that the England Cricket Board (ECB) perhaps wanted to indulge in “a bit of gamesmanship” and got in touch with the broadcasters.

"It may be a bit of gamesmanship from them but I don't know. I think it will always stand as one of the greatest games of cricket that has ever been so it was nice that we were at that party to be in it," he added.

Most of the New Zealand Test contingent arrived in London on Sunday from Auckland and is undergoing a three-day hotel quarantine. The squad includes Tim Southee, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor, and Neil Wagner.

New Zealand will play their first Test against England on 2 June at Lord's, which was also the venue of the 2019 World Cup final.

New Zealand won’t treat England Tests as warm-up for WTC final: Neil Wagner

The countdown is 🔛We're exactly one month out from the start of the #WTC21 Final! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/wsr67760bA

— ICC (@ICC) May 18, 2021

Speaking ahead of the two-match series against England, New Zealand pacer Neil Wagner asserted that the Kiwis are not looking at the upcoming Tests as a warm-up for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India.

"We're not going to treat these two Test matches against England just as warm-ups for the WTC final. I know for a fact we're going to get out there and pride ourselves the way we've been playing Test cricket and we want to win Test matches for New Zealand," ESPNcricinfo quoted Wagner as saying.

The Maldives-based IPL contingent, including captain Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson, is expected to arrive later.

After the conclusion of the two-Test series, New Zealand will take on India in the WTC final in Southampton from 18 June.

🗣 "It's really, really exciting to be involved in the final, obviously to win it would be that much better"One month out from the #WTC21 Final, anticipation is growing among the @BCCI and @BLACKCAPS stars🏆 pic.twitter.com/79uJx2RcQ2

— ICC (@ICC) May 18, 2021