New Zealand's Road To The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2021

The New Zealand cricket team is all set to lock horns with India in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final 2021. The ICC WTC final match between India and New Zealand will begin on June 18 at The Rose Bowl cricket stadium in Southampton, England. New Zealand was the first team to book a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. At the conclusion of the tournament, New Zealand finished on the 2nd spot in the ICC World Test Championship points table.

During their journey to the ICC World Test Championship final, New Zealand played 5 bilateral Test series. In 11 matches, New Zealand won 7 and lost 4. The Kane Williamson-side faced Sri Lanka, Australia, India, West Indies, and Pakistan during their road to the finale of the ICC World Test Championship. Here we will relive New Zealand’s journey in the ICC World Test Championship tournament and take a look at New Zealand’s road to the ICC World Test Championship final.

New Zealand’s Road To The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2021

New Zealand Halts Sri Lanka At 1-1 In Away Series

New Zealand started their ICC World Test Championship journey with a tie in a Test series against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka defeated visitors New Zealand in the first Test but the Kane Williamson-side bounced back with a superb victory in the 2nd Test. In the first Test, New Zealand were bowled out for 249 in the 1st innings and 285 in the 2nd innings. Sri Lanka scored 267 in the 1st innings and won the match by 6 wickets after chasing 268 runs target in 2nd innings.

In the 2nd Test, New Zealand bowled out Sri Lanka for 244. With centuries by Tom Lathan (154) and BJ Watling (105), New Zealand scored 431-6 in the 1st innings. Later, New Zealand bowled Sri Lanka for 122 and won the match by an innings and 65 runs. BJ Watling was awarded player of the series for scoring 183 runs in two games.

Australia Outclasses New Zealand In The Home Series

Later, New Zealand faced a whitewash against Australia in away series. Home team Australia defeated New Zealand 3-0 in the three-match Test series. Australia smashed 416 and 217-9 in the first Test and restricted New Zealand to 166 and 171 to win the match by 296 runs.

In the 2nd Test, Australia scored 467 with a century by Travis Head (114). They bowled out New Zealand for 148 and scored 168-5 in the 2nd innings. Later, New Zealand were bowled out for 240 in the 2nd innings and Australia won by 247 runs. In the 3rd Test, Australia scored 454 in 1st innings and 217-2 in 2nd innings. Australia bowled out New Zealand for 256 and 136 in the match and bagged a win by 279 runs. As a result, Australia won the series 3-0 and sent New Zealand on backfoot in the tournament.

New Zealand Bounces Back With Win Against India

After facing whitewash against Australia, New Zealand bounced back in the ICC World Test Championship tournament with a home series win against India. New Zealand won the series 2-0. In the 1st Test, New Zealand bowled out India for 165 and 191 in both innings. They also smashed 348 runs in 1st innings which helped them to win the match by 10 wickets in the end. Tim Southee took 9 wickets in the match to win the player of the match award.

In the second Test, India scored 242 batting first. New Zealand remained 7 runs short and scored 235 in response. However, they bowled out India for just 124 in the 2nd innings. With just 132 needed for victory, New Zealand won the match by 7 wickets.

New Zealand Whitewashes West Indies In The Home Series

Later defeating India in the Test series, New Zealand defeated West Indies 2-0 in a home series. New Zealand outclassed West Indies in both matches. In the 1st Test, New Zealand smashed a massive 519-7 in 1st innings. West Indies were bowled out for 138 and 247 and New Zealand won the match by an innings and 134 runs.

The 2nd Test was also a one-sided affair. New Zealand scored 460-10 in 1st innings with a century by Henry Nicholls (174). West Indies were bowled out for 131 and 317 in both innings. New Zealand won the match by an innings and 12 runs Henry Nicholls was awarded player of the match. Kyle Jamieson was adjudged player of the series for 11 wickets in 2 matches.

New Zealand Outplays Pakistan In The Home Series

In their last Test series in ICC World Test Championship, New Zealand hosted Pakistan for 2 games. In the first Test, Kane Willamson hit a century (129) in the 1st innings and took New Zealand to 431. Pakistan were bowled out for just 239 in the 1st innings. Later, New Zealand declared their batting at 180-5 in the 2nd innings. Pakistan could reach only 271 while chasing a 373-run target and lost the match by 101 runs. Kane Williamson was awarded player of the match for his century.

In the 2nd Test, New Zealand increased their winning margin by an innings and 176 runs. Pakistan were bowled out for 297 in the 1st innings. In response, New Zealand smashed mammoth 659-6 with a double century by Kane Williamson (238) and centuries by Henry Nicholls (157) and Daryl Mitchell (102). Pakistan were bowled out for 186 in the 2nd innings and lost the match and the series. Kyle Jamieson was awarded player of the match for his 11 wickets while Kane Williamson was awarded player of the series for his magnificent batting.

With the series victory against Pakistan, New Zealand went to the top of the ICC WTC points table and secured a seat in the final. Later, India replaced New Zealand from the top spot in the points table and became the 2nd finalists. New Zealand faces a tough challenge against India in the ICC WTC final. However, they have a strong side, and the ICC World Test Championship final will be definitely a nail-biting encounter.