Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli, ICC WTC Final 2021
Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has clarified the follow-on rule for the upcoming final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand, which is slated to start from June 18 at the Rose Bowl, Southampton.

The two teams are already in England, and while New Zealand is playing the hosts in a series of two Test matches before the WTC final, India who landed in the UK On June 3, just got out of their 3-day hard quarantine and began practice at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, where they are staying as well.

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson and Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Twitter)

Earlier the ICC had shed more light on the playing conditions for the ultra-important Test match between the top two ranked Test sides in the ICC Rankings. An extra day was added to the five-day Test match as a reserve day and also it was revealed that in case the match ends in a draw or tie, the trophy will be shared between the two teams.

ICC Clarifies That The Follow-On Will Will Not Change If Play Is Washed Out On Day One

The ICC has now clarified that the follow-on rule will not change if play is washed out on Day One of the WTC final. This clarification comes in view of the extra day added to the WTC final, to be played between India and New Zealand from June 18-23 in Southampton, England.

“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,” the normal follow-on rule states.

New Zealand Test team (Photo-AFP)
New Zealand Test team (Photo-AFP)

“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,” clause 14.3 states.

Now the ICC has amended clause 14.3 has been amended according to the changed playing conditions of an extra added day to the WTC final.

Read More  KKR Playing 11 vs RCB- IPL 2024, Match 10
Indian Cricket Team
Indian Cricket Team (Image Credit: Twitter)

“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.

The match is a highly anticipated contest between two amazing teams India and New Zealand.

Also Read: Ravichandran Ashwin Doesn’t Have A Single Five-Wicket Haul In SENA Countries – Sanjay Manjrekar Has A ‘Few Problems’ In Considering The Off-Spinner As An All-Time Great