The World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand has officially been extended into the reserve sixth day after two full days – Day 1 and Day 4 – were washed out due to persistent rain and other days were affected by rain and bad light in Southampton.
In a press release announcing the same, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said: “It has been confirmed that the Reserve Day is to be utilised at the ICC World Test Championship 2021 Final”. June 23 was provisioned as a reserve day to make up for any time lost on the five scheduled days of play.”The decision to allocate an additional day was made prior to the start of the ICC World Test Championship, in 2018, and that was reiterated in the publication of the official playing conditions on 28 May this year.”
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Play will be commencing on Day 6 (reserve day) of the WTC final at 10:30 am BST (3:00 pm IST) at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton and a total of 98 overs are available in the day. ICC also informed that the umpires will signal the start of the last hour of play on the reserve day.
Explaining the same, ICC wrote: “The maximum duration for the Reserve Day is a minimum of 330 minutes (or 83 overs, whichever is later), plus the last hour. If play is suspended for any reason other than normal intervals prior to the start of the final hour, then playing time shall be extended by the total time lost, up to the amount of extra time available.”
ICC said match tickets for the reserve day are being sold “at a reduced rate” and the spectators, who had bought eth tickets on first and the fourth day will receive first priority.
The release further explained, “COVID-19 regulations and capacity limitations will remain in place at the Hampshire Bowl for the Reserve Day,” ICC said.”If the match ends in a draw, or a tie, after the total designated time on the Reserve Day then the teams will be declared joint winners of the ICC World Test Championship Final 2021.”
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On the fifth day of the WTC final, India finished leading New Zealand by 32 runs in the second innings. India were 64 for 2 after having bowled out New Zealand for 249 in the first innings. India had only managed to score 217 in their first innings after New Zealand won the toss and asked the Indian team to bat first.
