ICC has announced who will be the WTC final 2021 umpires and match officials ahead of the India vs New Zealand contest in Southampton
The much-awaited World Test Championship Final of WTC cycle 2019-2021 is just a couple of days away. India and New Zealand will compete for the title of World Test Champions as they were the top 2 teams after the WTC league stages. India topped the league stages with 520 points and a win percentage of 72.2%. New Zealand finished second on the points table with 420 points and a 70%, win percentage.
Both teams are preparing well for the big finals. Though, New Zealand has had a head start as they have just played a 2-match test series against England. They won the series 1-0 after the first game was a draw. India on the other hand, is playing an intra-squad match to get into the rhythm.
WTC Final 2021 Umpires List Released By ICC
ICC announced that England’s Richard Illingworth and Michael Gough will be the on-field umpires for the World Test Championship final 2021. Both Illingworth and Gough are ICC’s elite panel umpires and both are very experienced as well. Illingworth was included in the elite panel in 2013. Illingworth has umpired in 54 tests (2012-2021), 69 ODIs (2010-2020), and 16 (T20Is).
Michael Gough too is an ICC elite panel umpire. Gough was included in the elite panel of umpires in July 2019. In April 2020, Gough has the highest number of reviews upheld to his name. 95% of reviews upheld taken against him since September 2017. Gough has stood in 19 Tests (2016-2021), 63 ODIs (2013-2020), and 14 T20Is (2013-2019).
Both the umpires are excellent umpires and very experienced. Alongside these two, Chris Broad will be the match referee, Richard Kettleborough, another elite panel member, will be the TV umpire, and Alex Wharf of Emirates ICC International Panel of Umpires will be the fourth umpire for the World Test Championship Final 2021.
Adrian Giffith, ICC’s Senior Manager of Umpires and Referees said that, “We are pleased to announce an experienced team of match officials for the final of the World Test Championship.”
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