World Test Championship Final: India, NZ To Face Off At Southampton, Not Lord’s

New Delhi: India and New Zealand will face off in the final of the first-ever World Test Championship at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.

The final, originally scheduled to be held at Lord’s in London, will be played from June 18 to 22 with June 23 being kept as reserve day.

Confirming the change in venue, BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla told ANI: “Yes, the final will be played in Southampton keeping an eye on the COVID-19 situation.”

Virat Kohli & Co. booked their berth in the historic finale by defeating England 3-1 in the just-concluded home series. India thus topped the WTC table with 72.2 percentage points.

ICC altered the evaluation system due to the COVID-19 disruption, making percentage points the determining factor rather than total points earned. That left India needing a 2-1 series win (or better) against England. They wouldn’t have made it if the series was drawn 2-2.

Kane Williamson-led New Zealand had earlier qualified for the final with 70 percentage points.

Australia finished third with 69.2 percentage points while England ended on fourth spot with 61.4 percentage points.

Both India and New Zealand teams will arrive in the UK in early June and undergo a two-week quarantine before taking to the field.