World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand will go into reserve day, ICC announced that an addition of 98 overs will be played on day 6.
The ongoing World Test Championship Final played between India and New Zealand is extended to another day after day 1 and day 4 were completely washed out due to heavy rain and bad weather in Southampton.
International Cricket Council (ICC) said in a press release:
“It has been confirmed that the Reserve Day is to be utilized at the ICC World Test Championship 2021 Final”.
June 23 was decided as a reserve day to make up for any time that has been lost on the five days scheduled WTC Final.
“The decision to allocate an additional day was made before 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,”
said ICC.
Play will begin on Day 6 which is a reserve day of the WTC final at 10:30 am BST (3:00 pm IST) at The Ageas Bowl and a total of 98 overs will be played on the day. The umpires will signal before the start of the last hour of the play, ICC said.
“The maximum duration for the Reserve Day is a minimum of 330 minutes (or 83 overs, whichever is later), plus the last hour,”
ICC said.
“If play is suspended for any reason other than normal intervals before 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 also included that the match tickets for the reserve day are being sold “at a reduced rate” and those who had bought tickets on days one and four will receive priority.
“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,”
the release stated.
India finished Day 5 of the Test leading New Zealand by 32 runs in the second innings. India was 64 for 2 after having bowled New Zealand out for 249 in the first innings.
India made 217 in their first innings after New Zealand won the toss and put India in to bat.