The WTC final has begun in Southampton. It has been almost 5 days that the Test has started. The rainy weather has spoiled the Test match & several questions have been raised on ICC due to the poorly planned location of the WTC final.
Updates of the WTC Final:
- Day 1 wasted due to rain, not even the toss could happen.
- Day 2 New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson won the toss and choose to bowl. Indian openers Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane made a good start.
- Day 3 Indian Batting collapsed & New Zealand dominated the day.
- Day 4 was again washed off due to the rain.
- Day 5 India bowled brilliantly and managed to get a lead of 32 runs over New Zealand.
Cricket lovers are frustrated, as the Test match was named the ‘Ultimate Test’ but couldn’t see that happening. There is only one question crossing in everyone’s mind and that is-
What would happen if the WTC Final ends up in a draw?
As the 2 days are already lost of the WTC final, the ICC announced a Reserve day to help produce the result. The ICC had said “In the event of time being lost during the match, the ICC Match Referee will regularly update the teams and media about the way in which the Reserve Day may be used. 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.”
The ICC had also confirmed that if the WTC final ends up in a draw both the teams India & New Zealand will be declared as the joint winners.
What would happen to the award prize & the mace in case of the draw?
As the ICC had announced the prize money of USD 1.6 million to the winners while the runners-up will get USD 800,000. In case of a draw, the prize money of both the positions will be shared equally among the joint winners.
The ICC World Test Championship Mace will also be shared with both the winners in case of a draw. ICC had said, “The two finalists share possession of the Mace during the time they remain champions”.
Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar is not satisfied with the ICC’s decision on the draw. He wants a formula that can decide the winner. “There must be a formula to pick a winner in case of a drawn World Test Championship final. ICC’s cricket committee should think and then take a decision,” Sunil told to the Aaj Tak.
