The World Test Championship Final 2021

First topic message reminder :

The World Test Championship has been something that many of us wanted for a long time, it took time to materialize, and in the middle changed the point system as the pandemic struck. There are imperfections and work need to be done to make more rounded. But it is a great initiative for the truest format. And I feel it merits a separat thread, outside the Rest of the World stuff...
India and New Zealand will be contesting for the first Championship title from 18th June. Both these sides have had some impressive success on way to the final. India's series win against Australia has to be their performance of the cycle, while New Zealand had a fine home record and then they capped it with a first series win in more than 20 years in England just before the final.
Both the sides have also shown some fine bench strength in recent times. India won in Australia effectively without Kohli, and for parts of the series, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Ishant Sharma who couldn't even make it to the touring party as he was injured. Jadeja and Shami were unavailable for their home series win against England as well. In their absence, Mohammad Siraj, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shubman Gill, Shardul Thakur, all emerged and Gill has become first choice and Siraj has become first choice squad at the very least. All the original first choice players are now available in the extended squad.
As for New Zealand, their most recent test win, a demolition job on England was achieved with the world number one test batter and their skipper Kane Williamson, Tim Southee, Kyle Jamieson and BJ Watling. Devon Conwy has emerged and has suggested tha he has it in him to solve a major problem New Zealand have had even during this winning run, that of a partner for Tom Latham. Will Young's emergence indicates that even if the 37 year old Ross Taylor decides to move on, they have options. Matthew Henry and Douglas Bracewell are very capable first reserves with a taste of and some success in test cricket, and in Tom Blundell, they have an able replacement for the retiring BJ Watling behind the stumps.
This strong bench strength also introduces some selection dilemmas for both sides as far as the final is concerned. Will it be Ashwin and Jadeja both for India? Will it be the first choice attack of Bumrah, Shami and Ishant, or will Siraj make it ahead of Ishant? Or will they go in with all 4 with Jadeja batting 7?
Will New Zealand bench one of their established pace quartet to include a spinner? Or will they play all 4 and the skippr himself take on the spin bowling responsibilities? Or will young Rachin Ravindra be given a surprise debut in the all-rounder slot? If they decide to bench one of the pacers, who would that be? Jamieson is the least experienced of the group but he has fine success against India. Southee and Boult have primed themselves quite fine leading up to the match. Neil Wagner did lack a bit of rhythm in the England series but finished it pretty well. Will be a very tough call for Williamson.
There is a lot exciting in the build-up to the game itself. Hope it will produce great excitement in terms of the actual cricket, like the last ICC event final!

Both teams have played to their strengths
One with 2 spinners and the other with none

Wining the toss with 5 seamers in and no spinner to exploit 4th iinnimg NZ had to bowl first
Ind won't be unhappy batting first , bowling last and would have done the same had thy won the toss
But frikkin Kohli loses all tosses and should send rahane for tosses

Thankfully, we are under way. Good toss to lose for Kohli. The track does seem lively, and Kohli suggested that he'd also have bowled. But good batting can earn runs here, so runs on the board seems the way to go.

Southee and Boult all over the shop so far - would get Jamieson into the attack ASAP if I’m Williamson

The ball is moving around a bit, and the batters are staying positive. The New Zealand bowlers not quite on target as yet, and India have 26 on the board as the first half-hour is up.

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Southee and Boult all over the shop so far - would get Jamieson into the attack ASAP if I’m Williamson

Yes, an early go for Jamieson makes sense.

That Ind are not 29-3 but for now loss is already a good 35 min
NZ has found swing but only when keeping ball not too full and a bit wide
No seam movement which is late
Southee trying to get prodigious swing and turn Batman square startign on leg when going full
Bad line he should start on off

Outfield slow

The rain seems to have taken something out of the outfield. Not giving full value for shots. Rohit and Gill have run well so far.

Rohit has curbed his instincts
And both have played consciously to the conditions
Shubhman still more solid
If he sees of new ball, he can rip apart any attacks

New Zealand have allowed the 2 Indian openers to leave a lot. Else they have been a touch too short, and touch legsidish. Now for the last 2 or 3 overs, there have been better control on runs. Hope Rohit and Gill wouldn't do anything silly.

That's the first hour for India. The openers have done well so far...

So Kyle Jamieson, the most threatening of the New Zealand bowlers gets the breakthrough. Rohit Sharma, gets a start and then goes. But unlike in Australia or the general thing with him, the bowler really had to get him out with a good one. Not much Rohit did wrong there...

India shade the session, but NZ certainly have an opening to work with in the afternoon. It was a bit wild and undisciplined from the bowlers in the first hour, though they've since settled down.

First hour Ind
2nd hour nZ
India session still because India 's weakest links I.e openers delivered 20s and 30s in seaming conditions and saw off a new ball collapse

Kartik refreshingly different in the commentary box
But irritatingly partisan , probably sub consciously

Pujara is so bad against the short ball that he's endangering himself. Happened against Australia on numerous occasions.

After 50 minutes of excellent bowling where they gave nothing away, New Zealand have now got Pujara. Massive strike from Trent Boult, and India in trouble at 88-3.

What was really happening there? Player review? Umpire review? For what? for whether he hit it or not? Whether the catch was clean or not? Anyways, Kohli survives at the end of it all.

At one point in his career, Ajinkya Rahane looked like India's best bet overseas with the bat along with, or even better than Kohli. But he's declined a long way from those high points of 2014, but he still produces innings of quality in crisis times. Needs one of those today.
One thing that has remained consistent with Rahane though, is this run-out thing with him! Nearly did that again there though for a change, it was himself on the firing line!

In the first 7 overs of their innings, India scored 26-0. In the next 43 overs, they managed only 80-3 with the run rate under 2 an over. That well have the New Zealanders bowled. The slow outfield not helping matters at all for the Indian batters.

pitch is far from pacy that the curator stated he wanted to make & the outfield is slow

So scoring ain't easy

That said...NZ ain't really troubling Indian batsmen...not creating enuf chances..3 reasosn

1-They are bowling a containing line and length

2- w.t.f would you bowl 10 out of 50 overs of your dibbly dobbly 115kph Grandhomme
He will not beat batsmen and create chances

3- There is too muhc of sameness in NZ attack
They aught to have had an express pace and /or spinner

India has one 90+ and two around 90mph pacers and 2 variety spinners

No rains, but bad light ending the day? The tea was taken a touch early and then they actually managed to come out, only for the light to go down in a few overs.
Is that the day?

KP_fan wrote:pitch is far from pacy that the curator stated he wanted to make & the outfield is slow

So scoring ain't easy

That said...NZ ain't really troubling Indian batsmen...not  creating enuf chances..3 reasosn

1-They are bowling a containing line and length

2- w.t.f would you bowl 10 out of 50 overs of your  dibbly dobbly 115kph Grandhomme
He will not beat batsmen and create chances

3- There is too muhc of sameness in NZ attack
They aught to have had an express pace and /or spinner

India has one 90+ and two around 90mph pacers and 2 variety spinners

I thought New Zealand, after a spraygun start, actually pulled things back nicely and kept the batters honest with their discipline. Colin de Grandhomme bowled quite well in patches, but yes, I too felt he bowled a few too many overs, and did keep dropping one short every now and then and each time the batters took full advantage. Kohli batted really well, along with the conditions, he had to battle himself, not given to being subdued for long time... Actually played a Pujara innings so far, the Indian captain. The ball is swinging, and the runs really had to be earned.
Think 250 + would be a decent effort here, and India have got a decent platform to reach there.
Will we get some play tomorrow?

msp83 wrote:

KP_fan wrote:pitch is far from pacy that the curator stated he wanted to make & the outfield is slow

So scoring ain't easy

That said...NZ ain't really troubling Indian batsmen...not  creating enuf chances..3 reasosn

1-They are bowling a containing line and length

2- w.t.f would you bowl 10 out of 50 overs of your  dibbly dobbly 115kph Grandhomme
He will not beat batsmen and create chances

3- There is too muhc of sameness in NZ attack
They aught to have had an express pace and /or spinner

India has one 90+ and two around 90mph pacers and 2 variety spinners

I thought New Zealand, after a spraygun start, actually pulled things back nicely and kept the batters honest with their discipline. Colin de Grandhomme bowled quite well in patches, but yes, I too felt he bowled a few too many overs, and did keep dropping one short every now and then and each time the batters took full advantage. Kohli batted really well, along with the conditions, he had to battle himself, not given to being subdued for long time... Actually played a Pujara innings so far, the Indian captain. The ball is swinging, and the runs really had to be earned.
Think 250 + would be a decent effort here, and India have got a decent platform to reach there.
Will we get some play tomorrow?

I think there is a worst case for India and that's if Pant does not fire....India should still get to 250+
and if he does get going then 330 to 370ish

I dunno how much time will be available but a big first inning total and a follow on is the ONLY way to a win if time continually gets curtailed

msp83 wrote:No rains, but bad light ending the day? The tea was taken a touch early and then they actually managed to come out, only for the light to go down in a few overs.
Is that the day?

Apparently not. Improved conditions or has someone had a word with the umpires?

Damn this lousy weather

Slow and fairly even day but unless further interruptions are kept to a minimum I am a little pessimistic about a result... Very early yet , of course. Better tomorrow hopefully.

The ball is still doing things, 60 + overs in. Think the Dukes' Ball should be standard in test cricket. Kookaburra is only there to be smashed after 20 overs, the SG doesn't last 50 overs and doesn't do much and goes soft too early.

Gosh! What a frustrating day! Hold up or done for the day?

Yeah, looks as though we're heading for a draw. I didn't think NZ bowled well in very bowler-friendly conditions - far too many balls that could be left harmlessly alone. India were watchful and patient.

Bitter blow for the ICC that this competition is likely to end up without a proper finish.

Delayed start after overnight rain, showers predicted throughout today - and rain tomorrow looks fairly set. Gonna do well to get a result in this one

Gods are helping NZ get their first ICC trophy, albeit shared

I'll have you know the New Zealanders won the highly prestigious 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy!

But yes, we're going to need some generous declarations to get a result.

Jamieson gets Kohli. Kohli's wait for an international century goes on. Jamieson up to 41 test wickets and still averaging under 15!

The stop-start doesn't help....but Kohli ain't anywhere close to the   sane batsman  as he was at his peak
he doesn't convert starts all thru the Eng series we saw it
Game again in balance

NZ showing if you get the line in stumps or just one or two stumps outside and length so fullish that LBW is in play
then getting every 10 runs is a little mountain to cimb

Pant gone cheaply, another one for Jamieson who's bowled brilliantly this morning. Come on NZ, take these last five wickets in an hour and make it a game.

Duty281 wrote:Pant gone cheaply, another one for Jamieson who's bowled brilliantly this morning. Come on NZ, take these last five wickets in an hour and make it a game.

The wickets take by them today should worry NZ
Its's so hard to survive lest score runs on this pitch as see today.....
suggest NZ already game away much more than they should have........we will find out when NZ bats

Ind needs to cross 200 as the first milestone now

and yet again, like yesterday Williamson errs in giving CDGH an over that in context of the game / situation....that produces 10 runs
that's half an hours of mountain climbed in an over

Rahane falls against the run of play.....not to the pitch but only to his own lapse in focus on fielding around

he continues to stand up in difficult conditions
a 30 odd run partnership needed between our bowling all rounders

Ashwn did help cross the 200 milestone
Now Jadeja needs to hit another 30 odd and others have to hang around

Think we can call that NZ's morning.

India will be glad to have had that start from yesterday - but I think they still need a few from the tail. Ishant can stick around...Jadeja will be hoping he does so after lunch.

Dare we hope the rain has bu....ed off now ?

It might appear like NZ's session...but Ind has 211 on the board which might be a par score already
NZ needed to have a 65-4 type first session yesterday

alfie wrote:Think we can call that NZ's morning.

India will be glad to have had that start from yesterday - but I think they still need a few from the tail. Ishant can stick around...Jadeja will be hoping he does so after lunch.

Dare we hope the rain has bu....ed off now ?

Maybe today, but the rain is set to completely wash-out tomorrow. And the light's a constant issue...

Enjoyable morning session. India did lose a couple of wickets too many than I'd have liked, but the good work from yesterday means that they are still in with a chance to get to that 250 that is good for these conditions. The ball continued to talk, and the batters have been properly tested. How nice it is to watch batters earning their runs. Jamieson bowled really well to take out Kohli, and Pant, after been very restrained to start, lost it with a poor shot. But the fact that he's willing to try and take his time early on is a good sign... Rahane, who produces his best only in really challenging wickets, played a fine hand until that moment of madness. Ashwin played some nice shots and scored a very valuable 22 that's worth some more on this track. Lets see what Jadeja and the seamers can produce with the bat, before they get down to their main job.
Had a couple of issues with the way KW went about things. Thought giving CDG an over at that point was not a smart call, and I thought he should have given Wagner an over or 2 more, after he got Rahane even if that meant not taking the new ball straight away.

As for the weather, lets just enjoy whatever is on offer. Because of the conditions, that whatever, regardless of the overall game context, is enjoyable to watch.
Jamieson gets 4 as Ishant edges one to Rosco.
Mohammed Shami knows only one way to bat. Think Jadeja should keep him away from the strike as much as possible, but let him do his thing when he's on.

Bumrah ahead of Shami, and didn't waste any time proving that a wrong call!

So India might fall short of 250 here as Jamieson here on a hattrick. Shami hasn't taken kindly to the demotion, smokes Jamieson away first ball, what hattrick!

So bowled out for 217 India, Jadeja the last one out, strangled down the legside.

The only disappointment...jadeja
the Charge that never came from him...that he let Ishant take a single off the 5th ball was a mistake.....that triggered the collapse
We've got runs on the board...and lets see what bowlers can do

Jamieson is a master. Will be one of the world's best over the next few years if he stays fit.

India probably about 40-80 light in tough conditions.

Wonder if the ICC could have used highest first-innings score as a tiebreaker, in the event of a draw?

KP_fan wrote:The only disappointment...jadeja
the Charge that never came from him...that he let Ishant take a single off the 5th ball was a mistake.....that triggered the collapse
We've got runs on the board...and lets see what bowlers can do

Not sure I'd blame Jadeja too much. He actually looked comfortable under the circumstances while he was there, and Ishant was the number 9 batter ... Don't know what was Kohli thinking when sending Bumrah ahead of Shami though. Bumrah may have become a slightly better number 11 in recent times, but he most certainly is a number 11. Shami is a much better hitter. Probably, if Kohli had got the order right, Jadeja may have had a better chance...

Think its time for an early introduction of Shami. Ishant should be kept on, but Shami can take over from Bumrah for the time being. Bumrah hasn't done much wrong, but I think Shami might just be a better bet.

217 seems a bit light ... although the Indian opening bowlers are doing their best to make it look adequate with some testing early stuff...

Plenty of dark clouds around. Suggests light will be an issue later today - and I see from Duty's cheerful weather forecast for tomorrow there is not an outbreak of summer due yet. Couldn't have picked a worse week to hold this in Southampton, I'm afraid.