"world-test-championship"

Nickname the mace as Michaeal Mason ;as team heads home

An incredibly tight game saw the Black Caps bowl out India for 170 in the second innings, leaving them 139 to chase for victory at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton on Wednesday.

There are a lot of ifs and buts in another of India’s failed attempts to cross the last hurdle

Williamson termed their final win over India as the "pinnacle" but stop short of calling it the country's biggest achievement in the game.

It can be safely assumed that some of the seniors will be on borrowed time and only a stellar performance in the five-Test series against England in August can secure their futures.

The 34-year-old Tamil Nadu off-spinner achieved the feat during the World Test Championship final against New Zealand.

This is an apt redemption for New Zealand, who had lost the final of the last two 50-over World Cups, in 2015 and 2019

However, New Zealand pacer Tim Southee said none of the players are aware of any such incident.

Shami (18-8-31-2) found the ideal fuller 'English length' right away while Ishant Sharma (20-9-27-2), coming for his second spell, was also penetrative.

Only 141.2 overs of play has been possible in the past four days due to rain and wet outfield.

Rain is not forecast for the remaining two days of the big final but it is likely to remain overcast as it has been the case so far when play did take place.

After the entire first day's play was washed out, the second day witnessed 64.4 overs being bowled while 76.3 overs was sent down between the two teams on the third day on Sunday.

India captain Virat Kohli was unbeaten on 35 off 94 deliveries while his deputy Ajinkya Rahane was on 13 off 54 deliveries as they battled it out against a disciplined New Zealand, who had won the toss and elected to bowl.

As per ICC playing conditions, the reserve sixth day can now come into effect

"If we win, cricket will not stop and if we lose also, cricket won't stop. We are playing in quest of excellence and understand who we are as a team," the eloquent Indian captain added.

New Zealand, who are usually seen as the underdogs going into a big event, have been touted as favourites for the WTC final beginning on Friday.

The team picked two specialist spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin, who are also more than handy with the bat.

It’s Virat Kohli's aggressive Indians versus Kane Williamson’s cool Kiwis in the World Test Championship final in Southampton

Good feet movement and tight technique are important. Indian batting will revolve around Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Ajinkya Rahane ready for the tough battle