New Zealand team with World Test Championship trophy / Photo: ICC, Twitter
Southampton: Kane Williamson’s New Zealand healed the wounds of losing the World Cup two years ago at Lord’s boundary. New Zealand become first world Test champions, beating India by eight wickets in Southampton.
The Kiwis needed 139 runs to win in 53 overs. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor led the Kiwis to the greatest achievement in their cricket history without any major accidents. Jamison took five wickets in the first innings and three in the second.
India captain Virat Kohli said that Williamson and his team had been putting pressure on him for three days. “If they could have added 30-40 runs, they would have been able to reach a level of struggle,” said Kohli. Kohli’s ICC title drought continues to upset fans with World Test Championship final.
It rained for two days of the long awaited final of the cricket world. The ICC had earlier declared the sixth day as a reserve day. After losing the toss and opting to bat, India were bowled out for 217 in the first innings. Williamson’s resistance gave New Zealand a 32 – run first – innings lead as they held on for wickets.
In the second innings, Rishabh was the only batsman to bat for India with a positive attitude. With Rishabh Pant and Jadeja at the crease after losing five wickets, the Indian fans were hopeful that the players would be able to turn the tide at any moment. But with the return of Jadeja, even the possibility of a draw was out of India’s hands.