New Zealand created history in Southampton’s Ageas Bowl as they came on top to win the inaugural World Test Championship Final. New Zealand pacers were on top during the sixth day and didn’t allow Indian batsmen to score freely and contained them for 170 all out.
At the start of the sixth day, India were needed to bat deep and score runs. A collapse was all New Zealand were targeting. Virat Kohli was looking comfortable before playing a false shot off Kyle Jamieson. Cheteshwar Pujara was outdone by Jamieson’s bounce. Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t shoulder the burden at this big moment and got tangled playing the glace down the leg.
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Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja looked threatening but Neil Wagner’s irresistible bouncer barrage put Jadeja off before he nicked a good-length ball to BJ Watling. Pant decided to aggressive way and perished while doing the same. The tailenders couldn’t wag and India got bundled out for 170. Tim Southee grabbed four wickets while Jamieson was the star with three wickets. New Zealand were set to chase 139 runs to win the inaugural World Test Championship Final.
In response, New Zealand got off to a steady start. Tom Latham and Devon Conway played cautiously before Ravichandran Ashwin removed both of them in no time. Kane Williamson looked comfortable on the pitch since arriving and found a good ally in Ross Taylor. There was a testing spell by Indian bowlers when both were new at the crease but they weathered the storm for New Zealand.
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Williamson and Taylor remained unbeaten and guided New Zealand to a historic win in the WTC Final by eight wickets. After missing his fifty in the first innings, Williamson raised a fine fifty in the second innings and remained unbeaten on 52 while Taylor was unbeaten on 47 when New Zealand crossed the line.
See how Twitter reacted to NZ’s historic win;
NEW ZEALAND ARE THE INAUGURAL ICC WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS 🎉#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ | @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/HMIaYI32Az
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
New Zealand are an unassuming, humble side who play cricket as it should be played. Lots of hardworking, disciplined, skilled players. This is probably their best test side and you have to admire them.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 23, 2021
Are you on the edge of your seat too?
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 23, 2021
Never understood the constant reference to New Zealand’s population & its supposed role in them “punching above their weight” as compared to India. Surely more Kiwis have access to wide open spaces to play sport & the social security to do so than Indians #WTCFinal
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) June 23, 2021
A match-winning partnership 👏#WTC21 Final | #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/FrFc7JSyX5
— ICC (@ICC) June 23, 2021
Inaugural World Test Championship winners 🏆
Congratulations, @BLACKCAPS – a historic display 👏#WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/yRr4S9MzJF
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 23, 2021
Congratulations NEW ZEALAND winning the test championship final .Absolutely top class effort from team India from last 2 years and being in the final . 👍👍👍@BLACKCAPS @BCCI 🙌🏻🙏
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) June 23, 2021
A contest worthy to be called a Final.
The pendulum kept swinging both ways throughout the game but it was NZ who showed why they are the number 1 test side.
Congratulations to the @blackcaps!Well played #TeamIndia, proud today and always! @bcci#WTCFinal #INDvNZ
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 23, 2021
Congratulations to @BLACKCAPS for being the first Test cricket champion . You guys deserve this. #KaneWilliamson #ICCWorldTestChampionship
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) June 23, 2021
So proud of this group of men. 5 years ago this result would have been unimaginable. Enjoy tonight lads! @blackcaps
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) June 23, 2021
