The historic day is here. The first ever ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, the most high-valued fixture of Test cricket’s very own World Cup. As India and New Zealand are set to challenge each other in this much-awaited Test match in Southampton in a quest to become the official world champions in the purest format of the game, the weather might play a spoilsport, at least on the opening day.
As per the local met department and BBC Weather, Southampton will face a thunderstorm on Friday. There is a 90 percent chance of rain throughout the day. The temperature is expected to hover around 17 degrees, and the humidity would be around 80 percent.
Furthermore, anticipating high intensity of rainfall, a yellow warning has been issued by the local authorities. In fact, throughout the entire span of this Test match the forecast is not very encouraging. There is high possibility of shower on all five days. Even on the reserve day, rain is expected to interrupt play.
Though it is a premature assumption, but keeping the disappointing weather forecast in mind, the Test match may not get enough overs to yield a result. Virat Kohli of India and Kane Williamson of New Zealand may have to share the inaugural ICC WTC trophy.
Meanwhile, going into this game both captains have made it clear that they will only focus on the aspects which is under their control. And weather doesn’t fall into that category.
Teams
India have already announced their XI on the eve of the Test match. They will back experience in this high-pressure game. Hence, Mohammed Siraj, who has been exceptional with the red ball since the recent tour of Australia, does not find a place. Mohammed Shami, making comeback of sorts following a long injury break, has got the nod.
Interestingly, India have picked both R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja in conditions that will be primarily favouring the seam bowlers. However, the values of those two in this Indian set up is enormous, and their presence in the lower middle order provide some much-needed batting depth to this line-up. The rest of the XI is on the expected lines.
New Zealand’s only dilemma hovers around Ajaz Patel. If they decide to back their strength and go ahead with four specialist seamers, Patel will have to sit out. But Indians have struggled against finger-spinners at the Ageas Bowl…
Head to head
India have won 21 of the 59 Test matches and lost 12.
Likely XIs
India (announced): Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma Jasprit Bumrah
New Zealand: Devon Conway, Tom Latham, Kane Williamson (c), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner
Predictions
New Zealand to have the upper-hand for the major part of this Test mantch but we won’t be able to get a result due to the weather conditions.