Eight Wicket victory over India in Southampton
RNZ/Reuters
Southampton UK, June 24, 2021
The Black Caps have won the Inaugural World Test Championship Cricket.
The New Zealand team sealed an eight wicket win over India late on the sixth and final day of the final in Southampton, chasing a second innings target of 139 to secure the title.
Veteran Batsman Ross Taylor (47 not out) hit the winning runs for the Black Caps after sharing in an unbroken 96-run partnership with captain Kane Williamson, who finished unbeaten on 52.
“It would have to be the highlight (of my career) to say that you are world champions. At the start of my career, we probably did not think that we had the side that could do that but the way the team have built over the years, stuck together. This is probably for the fans over there and back home as well. They’ve stuck with us through thick and thin and hopefully there’s a few Kiwis waking up that are very proud at the moment,” he told Sky Sport.
Pain of 2019 debacle eased
Williamson’s half century was only the second of a low-scoring final and ensured the Black Caps can now be called World Champions.
“It is a very special feeling. It is the first time in our history that we have come away with a world title. A special achievement and one that will be celebrated and remembered,” he said.
It helped to ease the pain of the 2019 Cricket World Cup final, which New Zealand lost to England at Lord’s on boundaries scored. 2019 World Cup was something that was very tough for us at the time but this makes up for that in a long time,” Taylor said.
It was apt that Williamson and Taylor guided New Zealand home, given that they are the country’s leading run-scorers in Test Cricket.
Opening Bowler Tim Southee said that the changing room was calmer with the thought that two experienced players were out at the field.
“It was probably the longest 139 runs that I have ever experienced but it was nice to know that you have got two quality players and two experienced guys out there in the middle so that did make it a little bit easier watching knowing that those two were out there,” he said.
Poor performance by India
India started the final day on 64 for 2 and were all out for 170 with seamer Kyle Jamieson taking two early wickets.
Jamieson had been the wrecker-in-chief in India’s first innings and the towering seamer returned to haunt them again on the sixth morning.
The 6’ 8” Bowler dismissed Virat Kohli (13) and Cheteshwar Pujara (15) in successive overs to jolt India. He was denied a third wicket when Southee dropped Pant’s edge at second slip when the batsman was on five.
The left-hander decided to counter-attack, stepping out repeatedly against Neil Wagner injecting excitement into the contest with his devil-may-care batting.
Pant attempted the scoop shot, played the reverse pull and nearly ran himself out in his eventful knock which came to an end after an inspired bowling change by New Zealand captain Kane Williamson.
Trent Boult (3-39) dismissed Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin in the same over before Southee (4-48) polished off the tail dismissing Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah in a space of five balls.
Williamson a true Captain
The Black Caps lost openers Devon Conway and Tom Latham before Captain Williamson and guided them to victory late in the final session of the test.
Jamieson was named the player of the match, while Veteran Wicketkeeper BJ Watling surpassed MS Dhoni for seventh on the all-time list of catches taken in his 75th and final test.
Watling did so despite dislocating his right ring finger in the first session of the day.
“We set out at the start of this tour to send him off on the right note and I could not think of a more fitting way to send out one of our champion blokes and one of our champion players of this test side. He has given everything to it and I could not have been happier for him to go out on this note,” Southee said.
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Our Staff Reporter adds:
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated Kane Williamson and the Black Caps for their victory over India, saying that the Team has made New Zealand proud.
“Kane Williamson and the team leadership have built a brilliant and humble squad who have become an inspiration to many New Zealanders. Over a number of years now we have seen the development of a team and team culture that has taken New Zealand cricket to world beating heights. This victory is the well-deserved culmination of that work,” she said.
Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson said that Black Caps are the deserved winners of the Inaugural World Test Cricket Championship.
“The Black Caps have pulled off a remarkable and deserved win. The final is the culmination of two years of hard fought games where the team has shown consistency, determination and exceptional talent,” he said.
“This is a true team effort, including off the park. Coach Gary Stead and Manager Mike Sandle led a committed and special backroom operation; to David White and the team at New Zealand Cricket, this result also reflects the hard work to develop and grow the game here in New Zealand,” Mr Robertson said.
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