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The World Test Championship final is undoubtedly one the most talked about topics in recent past days. India and New Zealand are hardly 20 days away from facing each other in the mega encounter, slated to kick off on June 18 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.
While New Zealand are already in England currently gearing up to play the two-match Test series against the hosts before the Test final against India, Virat Kohli and company are currently in Mumbai to take the flight for the UK for the finale against the Kiwis.
What was worrying signs for the cricket fans was the fact that the weather in Southampton from June 18 to 22 wasn't that pleasing and rain was expected to play spoilsport in the game. However, now considering the upcoming situation, a big update has come to the fore.
Playing conditions of WTC final out
Notably, it has now been revealed that the ICC has put a reserve '6th day' for the World Test Championship final to make up for any lost time during the scheduled five days of the play. Meanwhile, another condition states that a draw or a tie will see both sides, that is India and New Zealand, getting crowned as joint winners.
ICC has now revealed that these playing conditions were made in June 2018 only, prior to the commencement of the World Test Championship. Meanwhile, the apex governing body of cricket clarified that 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. It added that the match will be played using Grade 1 Dukes cricket balls.
Here are the other rules that will be applicable in the game:
Short Runs – The third umpire will automatically review any call of a ‘short run’ by the on-field umpire and communicate the decision to the on-field umpire prior to the next ball being bowled.
Player Reviews – The fielding captain or the dismissed batsman may confirm with the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball prior to deciding whether to initiate a player 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.