IND vs NZ WTC Final: ICC gives clarity on MASSIVE Rule Change

IND vs NZ WTC Final: India will be facing New Zealand in the historic inaugural ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final scheduled to begin from 18 June in Southampton. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a massive development that the follow-on rule will not change even if play is washed out on Day 1 of the summit clash between India and New Zealand. The apex council has already revealed the entire playing conditions which states that there will be joint winners in case of a draw or tie.

Follow-on Rule Change for WTC Final

In the present scenario, the follow-on rules in the ICC playing conditions (Clause 14) state, “14.1.1: The side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings. 14.1.2 The same option shall be available in matches of shorter duration with the minimum leads as follows: – 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days; – 100 runs in a 2-day match; – 75 runs in a 1-day match.”

In addition, clause 14.3 states: “If no play takes place on the first and second days of the match, clause 14.1 shall apply in accordance with the number of days remaining (including the scheduled Reserve Day) from the start of play. The day on which play first commences shall count as a whole day for this purpose, irrespective of the time at which play starts. Play will have taken place as soon as, after the call of Play, the first over has started.”

Now the ICC has made an amendment to the clause 14.3 in view of the extra reserve day added to the WTC Final. “The first-innings lead of atleast 200 runs will only be reduced to 150 runs if no play takes place on the 1st and 2nd scheduled days of the Test match. Normally this will occur if only the first day’s play is lost, but with the provision of a reserve day, it remains a 5-day match even if the first day is lost,” ICC said in its communication to the two participating teams recently.

IND vs NZ World Test Championship Final

Both the teams are already in England to prepare and acclimatize well in the English conditions. New Zealand are playing a two-match Test series against England while Team India have already started with their training sessions at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton after completing their mandatory quarantine period. It will surely be a historic moment in the cricket history as both captains, Virat Kohli and Kane Williams will be excited to win the maiden WTC title.

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