New Zealand are trailing India by 116 runs heading into day 4 of the ICC World Test Championship but day 4 is been threatened with rain again.
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The final of the ICC World Test Championship final has seen some intense passages of play. Kyle Jamieson picked up a five-wicket haul, including the massive scalp of Virat Kohli for 44. India were bowled out for 217. New Zealand responded with a fantastic opening partnership between Devon Conway and Tom Latham. Conway reached his fifty and Latham was unfortunate to miss out. After the close of day 3, New Zealand were 101/2 with skipper Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor holding fort.
The weather has ruined the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton. The first day was totally washed out. The second day started only after the second session. The third day was delayed due to a wet outfield. But there was maximum number of overs bowled on day 3. However, the forecast for day 4 is not promising at all.
According to Accuweather and the Weather channel website, there is a 90 to 100 percent chances of rain on the fourth day. The rain will begin from morning 9 AM local time and it will be persistently raining throughout the whole day. There is a possibility that rain might wash out the entire fourth day, very similar to how proceedings were on day 1.
According to the ICC World Test Championship playing conditions, “The playing conditions confirm that a draw or a tie will see both teams crowned as joint winners. A Reserve Day is allocated to make up for any lost time during the regular days of the Final – scheduled to be played from 18 to 22 June, with 23 June set aside as the Reserve Day. The Reserve Day has been scheduled to ensure five full days of play, and it will only be used if lost playing time cannot be recovered through the normal provisions of making up lost time each day. There will be no additional day’s play if a positive result is not achieved after five full days of play and the match will be declared a draw in such a scenario,” the ICC release said.
So, if day one and potentially day four is totally washed out, then chances of a result are slim. In such a situation, the reserve day will not be activated. With only one day left for a possible result, the chances of the match becoming a draw are growing more likely.
The Indian openers set out a good platform as Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill countered the new ball well. Their partnership gave India a good platform but New Zealand fought back. Rohit fell to a great catch by Tim Southee while Jamieson accounted for Gill. After Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane shared a solid partnership, it was Jamieson who dismissed Kohli. The Indian skipper’s dismissal for 44 prolonged his century drought in Test cricket. Rahane missed out on a fifty as Neil Wagner got him for 49.
The Indian tail failed to counter the New Zealand quartet. In addition, Ishant Sharma looked in good touch along with Mohammed Shami. Ravichandran Ashwin got the big wicket of Latham while Ishant sent back Conway.
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