New Zealand and India have risen to be Test leaders in world cricket and will now play in the final summit of the clash.
After the two-year wait, the d-day is finally here as finalists New Zealand and India take on each other in the World Test Championship (WTC) in Southampton.
The two teams met once during the qualification phase in which the Kiwis had hosted the Men in Blue for a 2-match Test series which they won by 2-0. The two nations since then have risen to be Test leaders in world cricket.
The ICC WTC final was initially supposed to be held at Lords, but due to COVID-19 issues and bio-bubble facilities, the game shifted to Southampton. However, the weather does not look quite good.
India vs New Zealand, Southampton weather forecast
"Friday, 18th June weather in Southampton is expected to be largely unsettled, with a yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in place throughout the day," said a spokesperson for the UK Met office.
"There’s a small chance of heavy rain in spells, which could affect some roads. Cloud will be largely dominant in the area, with spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms possible throughout the day, likely peaking in the afternoon. There will also be breezy conditions in the area, with gusts of up to 31mph.
"There’s a chance of some intense showers in the area on the day, as the unsettled conditions move in from Europe to affect large areas of England."
India vs New Zealand Ageas Bowl Stadium Pitch Report
While the final nature of the pitch is yet to be revealed, it has been learned that the first three days will see the Southampton surface producing great pace, bounce, and carry.
On the final two days, spinners are expected to have some help. With little to no sun throughout the five days of play, the pitch will not dry up easily.
Predicted Playing XIs:
India's final squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami.
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Tom Latham (VC), Devon Conway, Ross Taylor, Henry Nichols, B J Watling, Ajaz Patel, Kyle Jamieson, Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner
India vs New Zealand Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Chesteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Wriddhiman Saha
New Zealand: Kane Williamson (C), Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner BJ Watling, and Will Young.
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 "India vs New Zealand")
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