Virat Kohli is leaving for England just four days after playing in the final of the World Test Championship. Ken Williamson's final against New Zealand on June 18-22 in Southampton. That match will decide who is the best Test team in the world. But what if that match is a draw or a tie? Or ruined in the rain? Then who will be the champion? Who will win the title of the best team in the Tests, the ICC said on Friday.
The ICC announced the playing conditions for the Test Championship final on Friday. India and New Zealand will be declared joint winners in either the draw or tie, according to the World Cricket Board.
Virat Kohli's India and Ken Williamson's New Zealand face off at the Hampshire Bowl Stadium in Southampton. The ICC announced the terms of the game on Friday. In case of a draw or tie, India and New Zealand will be the joint winners. If any of the five days (June 18-22) is wasted, there will be a reserve day (June 23). In case of wastage of time in the match for any reason, the match referees will regularly update the media as well as the two teams on how to use the reserve day. One hour before the start of the fifth day, the ICC will decide whether the match will be played on the reserve day at all! The game will be called Grade One Duke Cricket.
As well as some new rules will apply to the finals of the World Test Championship. The third umpire can automatically review any short-run after talking to the onfield umpires. The bowler will be allowed to bowl the next ball only after asking for this review. The captain of the fielding team or the batsman who is out can talk to the umpires in case of a review of the LBW. In the case of LBW's review, the height of the wicket zone has been slightly increased towards the stumps.
India's road to the WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP final has been full of challenges that have tested their bench strength and mental toughness to the limit. But Virat Kohli and his men came up stronger and successfully made it to the WTC final to be held in England on June 18-22.
The change in the points system due to the COVID-19 pandemic saw India face an uphill battle to qualify for the final, despite being at the top of the table. They had to beat Australia in their own den and then England at home to book their ticket for the showpiece event.
Injury woes, batting collapses, tough situations, etc. couldn't stop this talented Indian team from fulfilling the scenarios and setting up a summit clash with New Zealand. Arguably the two best Test teams at the moment will go head to head and it promises to be an enthralling finale. Let's see who will conquer the world test format.