The ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton between India and New Zealand is threatened with rain on all five days, but some weather forecasts are offering varying degrees of rainfall on some days.
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The ICC World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand is upon us. After two years of consistency and dominance, the top two sides in world cricket will battle it out at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. India won five out of the six series that they played in the two-year cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand won three out of the five series that they played. They won all their home series. New Zealand drew to Sri Lanka, lost 0-3 to Australia while the series against Bangladesh was cancelled.
India, on the other hand, managed to win all their home series against South Africa, Bangladesh and England. They won against West Indies and Australia away but they suffered a whitewash against New Zealand. This is the first time that India will be playing a neutral Test in their history.
On the other hand, New Zealand has never lost to India in any format in England. Be it ODIs or Twenty20s, the Kiwis have emerged victorious every time. They head into the match high on confidence, having won a series in England for the first time in 21 years. The advantage of playing two Tests before the ICC World Test Championship final will be crucial.
There is a fever pitch build-up heading into the ICC World Test Championship final in Southampton. However, the weather in Southampton might prove to be a dampener. For the past two weeks, Southampton has been experiencing dry and hot conditions. But, all that might change in the coming few days.
According to the weather channel, rain is expected on all five days in Southampton. On Friday, there is a 90 percent chance of rain while on Saturday, some play might be possible as there is 50 percent likelihood of rain. However, on Sunday and Monday, the chances of rain are high with over 80 percent. Tuesday might prove to be another damp squib with 70 percent chances of rain.
The Accuweather website for Hampshire and Southampton has given out a yellow warning for thunderstorms on Friday and Saturday. Accuweather, though, has put the percentages slightly lower. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the chances of rainfall are in the range of 60 to 68 percent. On Monday, there is only a 40 percent chance of rain and it will be mostly cloudy. Thus, play could be possible on Monday. But, on Tuesday, the fifth and potential final day, the chances increase over 60 percent again.
The BBC, on the other hand, has said rain might wash out the entire first day’s play on Friday. They are saying that the weather on Saturday will be much better and that play might be possible. However, on Sunday, the rain chances have increased yet again while there will be intermittent spells of rain on Monday and Tuesday.
If the ICC World Test Championship final is washed out, both teams will share the trophy. However, there is a reserve day in place. But, the sixth day might only be activated only if there is a possibility of a result.
Predicting the weather in the United Kingdom is the most difficult thing in the world. Most of the weather agencies in the United Kingdom seldom get the weather right. It is all a matter of chance. But, with three agencies predicting rain on some days, the chances of them making a mistake seem highly unlikely.
Both India and New Zealand selected their squad of 15 for the ICC World Test Championship final a couple of days ago. India has left out Mayank Agarwal, KL Rahul and Shardul Thakur. New Zealand left out Mitchell Santner.
Both teams have a selection headache due to the sheer talent of the players. Will New Zealand go with five pace bowlers or will they give Ajaz Patel a chance? Is the Indian cricket team playing with both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja?
In the past, the ICC Champions Trophy between India and Sri Lanka in 2002 was shared. Rain washed out both the final and the reserve day in Colombo. After the ICC World Test Championship final, India will play five Tests against England starting from August to September. Following the end of the England tour, India will play the IPL.
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