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India, New Zealand ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton

India will take on New Zealand at the final of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021) to be played at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton from 18 to 22 June, 2021.

Originally, the final was slated to be held at the Mecca of Cricket in Lord’s but the ICC changed it to Southampton for providing a better bubble environment for the teams amid the surging Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Hampshire Bowl offers world-class playing and training facilities, giving the Indian and New Zealand cricket teams the best possible environment for their preparations. While there is plenty of time for the final, in the meanwhile, its worth checking out the powerplay site to raise your game.

The cricket governing body believes that the venue in Southampton will considerably lower the risk of Covid-19 transmission, while providing better protection to the health and safety of everyone involved in the ICC World Test Championship.

The ICC said that subject to the UK government’s phased easing of the pandemic lockdown measures, a limited number of fans is expected to be let into the Hampshire Bowl to watch the Ind vs NZ World Test Championship final.

Photo courtesy of AssociateAffiliate/Wikipedia.org.

On paper, India looks a stronger team than New Zealand with plenty of options to choose from. However, its batting has been quite inconsistent.

The Virat Kohli-led team should expect seaming conditions at Southampton as England will not be kind on them for dishing out dust bowls in the recently concluded four-test match series.

Conditions at Southampton should ideally suit the Kiwis and their seam bowlers will be the big danger for India. New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is another factor to content with for India. Should he dig deep and score big, then the Blackcaps will be assured of a win.

New Zealand was the first team to make the final of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship. India made it to the final after a thumping 3-1 series win against England earlier this month.

The Blackcaps secured their place in the final with 70% of points earned from five series. New Zealand collected 420 points, having won seven matches and lost four matches in the 11 matches they played under the ICC World Test Championship (2019-2021).

India topped the table with 72.2%, having won 12 matches, lost four and drew one match to earn 520 points.

Australia came close to the Kiwis with 69.2% while England was a distant fourth at 61.4% of points earned. However, England was only second to India in winning the most matches, at 11.