Fans and cricketers were left frustated when Day 4 of the World Test Championship final was washed away without a ball being thrown owing to a frustratingly persistent period of precipitation in Southampton. The much-anticipated WTC final has been totally washed out for the second day.
While cricketers were content to stay indoors in their training gear, a handful of fans at the Ageas Bowl were left unhappy as they waited for play to restart with their umbrellas in hand.
Over the previous four days of the WTC final in Southampton, only 141.1 overs had been bowled. New Zealand is the team to beat, as they arrived at Stumps on Day 3 with a score of 101 for 2 after routing India for 217.
The first day of the Test match was notably cancelled due to rain, prompting the use of the reserve day. In the run-up to the Championship match, the ICC declared that a sixth day would be available if a result could not be obtained within the time limit.
While Day 2’s activity was hampered by a few delays, Sunday’s action in Southampton began late and concluded early owing to poor lighting. The weather prediction for Tuesday and Wednesday’s reserve day is better, but with neither team completing the first innings, it will be fascinating to see if the WTC final can produce a champion.
If the match concludes in a draw or a tie, the prize money and the ICC World Test Championship title will be divided, according to the ICC. The governing body of international cricket has announced that the victors of the historic match would get USD 1.6 million and the runners-up will receive USD 800,000.
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar, the famous Indian batsman, believes the ICC should have created a way to determine a victor if the WTC final resulted in a tie rather than having the finalists divide the prize money. While speaking to the press, Gavaskar recommended that India and New Zealand play another Test as the WTC Final after a three-to-four-day break because both teams will be in England.
“In football, the victor is determined by a penalty shootout or some other means. There are five sets in tennis, including a tie-breaker “Sunil Gavaskar was quoted as saying
“There must be a formula to pick a winner in case of a drawn World Test Championship final. ICC’s cricket committee should think and then take a decision,” Gavaskar added.
On Day 3, India crumbled, falling from 149 for 3 to 217 for all out. The lower-middle order was swept away, with Virat Kohli scoring 44 and Ajinkya Rahane scoring 49. After a solid partnership between their skipper and vice-captain, India fell far short of their expectations. Kyle Jamieson notched up his fifth 5-wicket haul.
New Zealand responded well, with openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway combining 70 for the first wicket. On Sunday, India’s pacers failed to bowl full and make most of the gloomy conditions, failing to get as much swing as their New Zealand counterparts.
