Relentless rain has resulted in the first session being completely truncated with outpour continuing to batter Southampton ahead of the WTC final
Ahead of the much awaited WTC final, the Southampton weather forecast made for dreary showing. With rain set to lash the venue, a potential wash out looked very much on the cards.
And with a gust of rain shrouding the city on Thursday, things looked extremely bleak for the big day. Everyone’s worst fears were brought into reality on Friday as unabated rain continued to make its presence felt in Southampton.
WTC Final Rain Update: First Session Called Off
Refusing to relent, rain has caused its first causality with the match officials deciding it was prudent to completely call of the first session of play. Inspecting the ground ahead of the toss, the umpires in a massive setback declared that there would be no play at all and any fresh updates would only come once the rain cedes.
Southampton Weather Update
BCCI took to Twitter to reveal the latest update. As things stand, the ground is still receiving rainfall and the covers are currently on at the Ageas Bowl. The upcoming days don’t bode well either for the World Test Championship final either with rain predicted for all the five days.
Its inexplicable to understand why the ICC decided to go ahead with Southampton as the venue of the showdown after the debacle of the 2019 ODI World Cup. Despite that event being rendered obsolete by the English rains in the months of June-August, the ICC for some bemusing reason decided to conduct the WTC final in akin conditions.
India vs New Zealand WTC 2021 Final
As per the playing conditions ingrained by the governing council, the WTC mace will be shared by both the countries if the matchup ends in a draw. And as things are looking at the moment, a draw could very well be on the cards.
India accounted their playing 11 for the WTC final on Thursday itself with all the usual names featuring for the side. New Zealand meanwhile will only be opening their cards prior to the toss.