Torrential rain and wet outfield spoiled the fans’ mood as the highly anticipated World Test Championship final saw no play on Day 1. Constant rain led to a washout at the beginning of the India-New Zealand clash at Ageas Bowl, much to everyone’s disappointment and despair.
So bad was the weather conditions that not even the toss could be held at any stage on Friday. With a reserve day in play, thankfully, fans around the world can still feel confident of an outright result.
The reserve day will come into play if the regular provisions to make up time over the course of the next four days (June 19-22) aren’t enough to recover the lost day.
As is the norm with Tests in the UK, there will be no earlier start than the usual 10:30 am local time on Day 2. The overs will be made up deeper into the day, with the scheduled close of play extended.
Despite one day of washout, there will be no changes in the standard follow-on criterion. The ICC recently tweaked the follow-on rule for the WTC final by retaining the 200-mark even if one entire day is lost as we have now. The change was made because of the provision of the reserve day that can come into effect.
The rains on Friday were mostly on the predicted lines. And though the forecast for Day 2 is better, more weather interruptions are expected over the course of the Test match.
India have already announced their playing XI for the match, retaining the core of their batting and bowling, and leaving out Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav from their trimmed 15-man squad. The playing XI is unlikely to change despite the weather and the late start to the Test match.
New Zealand, on their part, have chosen not to reveal their playing XI just as yet. Their headache would’ve revolved around picking left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel or their four frontline quicks together. But the weather in Southampton and Indian batsmen’s traditional preference to spin should make a choice easier for the Black Caps.
