INDIA will take on New Zealand in the final of the first ever ICC World Test Championship this summer.
Virat Kohli’s men sealed their place in the final after beating England 3-1 in their four-Test series.
And waiting for them will be Kane Williamson and the Blackcaps – who of course suffered heartbreak in their last major final at Lord’s when England won the 2019 World Cup.
Here’s all you need to know about the Test match showdown.
When is the World Test Championship final?
A tentative date for mid June has been given for the clash between India and New Zealand.
New Zealand will be in England for a two-Test series beginning on June 2.
That series is due to finish on June 14 – and June 18 is a possible date for the India final to begin.
That victory against England means India finish the league phase of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship with a fine view from the top of the table
#INDvENG | #WTC21 pic.twitter.com/rXFiKPXdB7
— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2021
Where will it be played?
England will be the host for the historic occasion with Lord’s in line to stage the game.
But widespread reports have suggested that Hampshire’s Ageas Bowl could be used instead to host the final.
The venue has a hotel on site, which would help create a bio-secure bubble easier than playing in London.
The Ageas Bowl hosted most of England’s behind-closed-doors 2020 summer schedule along with Manchester’s Old Trafford.
What is the ICC World Test Championship?
The World Test Championship is the ICC’s plan to give Test cricket a competition that can rival those in the one day game.
Originally planned for 2013 but hit with long delays, the new-look competition is set to take place over nearly two years.
It started in August 2019 and finishes in June 2021, where two teams will contest a grand final.
Here’s how the World Test Championship works:
- The top nine Test playing nations all compete (Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies).
- Each team will play three home and three away Test series.
- Every one of these series will carry a maximum of 120 points.
- Sides are given 60 points per win in a 2-match series and 24 points for a win in a 5-match series.
- After each team has played their six series, the points will be added together in a league format.
- The top two teams will then face off in a final in June 2021.
- The second edition of the tournament is scheduled to run from July 2021 to June 2023.
