Southampton will host the ICC World Test Championship final, confirms Sourav Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the final of the ICC World Test Championship will be hosted at Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

Earlier, it was decided that the final of the WTC will be played at the Mecca of Cricket, Lord’s but it was recently reported that the title clash will be moved to Southampton.

Ganguly has now confirmed the same and the reason to move the venue from Lord’s to Southampton is the fact that the hotel is near to Ageas Bowl as compared to Lord’s. Thus, it makes sense to limit the traveling of both teams amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

India and New Zealand will face off each other in the final clash from June 18 to June 22. The Virat Kohli-led team topped the WTC points table with 520 points and a PCT of 72.2% whereas Kane Williamson’s side finished at second place with a PCT of 70% and 420 points.

India defeated Australia in Australia by 2-1 and then thrashed England by 3-1 to secure their place in the final of the WTC.

“I’m looking forward to attending the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton,” said Ganguly while talking to India Today.

“Yeah, it is in Southampton. It was decided a long time ago. Due to COVID and they [in Southampton] have the hotel absolutely close. When England resumed play after COVID, they had a lot of matches in Southampton due to the same reason.”

Ganguly is hopeful that India will be able to go past New Zealand in the final of the Test Championship. However, India had lost both the Test matches against the Kiwis when they had toured New Zealand back in 2020. Virat Kohli-led team has done a fine job in all the conditions and they will look to be at their best against the Blackcaps.

“Massive achievements given what the players have gone through. Right from the IPL in September to early March and they are not finished yet. A good 6 months in bio-bubbles and what they have achieved is fantastic. Looking forward to the WTC final and I hope we get past New Zealand. Congratulate Rahane, Kohli, everyone involved. The way Pant won India the Brisbane game was excellent,” Sourav Ganguly concluded.

It should be an exciting contest between India and New Zealand in the final of the WTC. India has a potent pace battery whereas New Zealand has always punched above its weight.