The first-ever World Test Championship (WTC) final match between India and New Zealand will be played in England's Southampton, next month from June 18 to June 22. Both the teams look prepared for this historic event. Now a big news is coming about this mega contest. There was a trending question among fans for a long time that which team will be declared WTC Final winner if the match ends as a draw or tie.
On Friday, the ICC took a big decision regarding the Ind vs NZ WTC Final.
If the match ends in a draw or tie, both teams will be declared joint winners i.e both India and New Zealand can become joint winners of the historic World Test Championship Final.
Also, if the India vs New Zealand final match does not take place within 5 days due to rain or any other reason, a Reserve Day (June 23) has been set aside to make up for the lost playing day. If there are no positive results after five days of play, then there will be no extra day's play and in such a situation the result of the match will be declared as a draw.
"There will be no additional day's play if a positive result is not achieved after five full days of play and the match will be declared a draw in such a scenario," the ICC stated.
The final decision on whether the Reserve Day needs to be used will be announced at the scheduled start of the last hour on the fifth day.
While India play at home with SG Test and New Zealand use Kookaburra at home, the final will be played with Grade 1 Dukes balls.
The final will also feature the implementation of three changes to international playing conditions:
Short Runs -- The Third Umpire will automatically review any call of a 'short run' by the on-field umpire and communicate the decision prior to the next ball being bowled.
Player Reviews -- The fielding captain or the dismissed batsman will be able confirm with the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball prior to deciding whether to initiate a review for LBW.
DRS Reviews -- For LBW reviews, the height margin of the wicket zone has been lifted to the top of the stumps to ensure the same Umpire's Call margin around the stumps for both height and width.
(With PTI inputs)