ICC confirms playing conditions for WTC final

International Cricket Council has finally announced the playing conditions for the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand. If the match ends in a draw or a tied, both teams will be declared joint winners.

For any time lost in the game, a reserve day has been kept after the five days of the game. The reserve day will come into provision only if the lost time is not recovered through the normal provisions of early start and extra time allotment at the end of the day.

The match referee will regularly update both the teams on lost time and a call on the reserve day will be taken at the start of the last hour on day 5.

The contest will also have a few other tweaks implemented for the first time. TV umpires will be checking short-runs in real time, the enhanced height margin for LBW referrals will be in place and the fielding captain or the dismissed batsman can confirm with the umpire if a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball before deciding to opt for player review.

The Test match starts on June 18 at Southampton and the Indian team will be leaving for England in less than a week’s time.