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India vs New Zealand WTC Final Day 6 Live Cricket Score Updates: Shami’s 11th over turns out to be the final one of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, as Williamson plucks a single off the third ball before Taylor — a veteran cricketer who has been without title success for so long — seals the win with a boundary off the penultimate delivery. New Zealand defeat India by eight wickets and win their second ICC title! Day 5 report: Tim Southee removed both India openers late on Tuesday to give New Zealand hope of an unlikely victory in the World Test Championship final as the showpiece match headed into the reserve sixth day. India will look to Cheteshwar Pujara (12 not out) and captain Virat Kohli (eight not out) after finishing the fifth day at Southampton on 64-2 in their second innings – a lead of 32 runs. Southee had Shubman Gill lbw for eight and Rohit Sharma leg before padding up for 30. The veteran paceman also struck star batsman Kohli flush on the helmet before reaching stumps with figures of 2-17 in nine overs. And with a maximum 98 overs remaining, a positive outcome is still possible despite both Friday’s opening day and Monday’s fourth both being washed out without a ball being bowled. A draw, however, remains the likeliest outcome after two years of qualifying matches to determine Test cricket’s first official world champions, and in that case India and New Zealand will share the 2.4 million dollars prize money. “You always probably want more than what you got, but it was nice to get those two (wickets) tonight, but it’s shaping up for an intriguing day tomorrow,” Southee told reporters. “It’s exciting to end up on the last day of a Test match with three results still possible,” added the 32-year-old. “With the weather that’s been around, it’s nice to have that extra day up our sleeve.” Earlier, New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made 49 out of a total of 249 in reply to India’s first-innings 217. Williamson is one of the outstanding batsmen of his generation but such was the control exerted by India’s fast bowlers in a match where pacemen on both sides have dominated in helpful conditions, he made just seven from 77 balls faced before lunch on Tuesday. Mohammed Shami led the way with 4-76 in 26 overs after yet more rain delayed Tuesday’s start by an hour. “I wanted to keep it tight today,” said Shami, speaking in Hindi after the close. Looking ahead to Wednesday, he added: “I can’t say how much we can dismiss them for in the fourth innings. “We will need runs on the board and back-up.” By activating the reserve day, officials created the first six-day Test since the 2005 Super Series between Australia and the Rest of the World. New Zealand had resumed on 101-2. Williamson and Ross Taylor, their two most experienced batsmen, added a mere 16 runs in Tuesday’s first 13 overs before Shami had Taylor caught for 11 at short extra-cover. Ishant Sharma (3-48) followed up by having Henry Nicholls well-taken by Rohit at second slip. New Zealand’s 134-4 was transformed into 135-5 as Shami clean bowled BJ Watling with a superb delivery that hit the top of middle and off stumps. Williamson’s 177-ball innings ended when he steered Ishant to second-slip Kohli. Southee, whose breezy 30 included two fours and a six before he was last man out, paid tribute to Williamson’s painstaking innings by saying: “The Indian bowling asked a lot of tough questions and put us under a lot of pressure, and he was able to hang tight and dig deep and just sort of battle his way through.” A lively crowd, made up mainly of India supporters added to the occasion, but two spectators were ejected on Tuesday by security staff for abusing New Zealand players. “It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said Southee. “The game is always played in a good spirit on the field.” A spokesperson for the International Cricket Council said: “We received reports of abuse directed at the New Zealand players. “Our security team were able to identify the culprits and they were ejected from the ground. We will not tolerate any sort of abusive behaviour in cricket.” With inputs from AFP
Highlights, IND vs NZ WTC Final, Day 6, Full Cricket Score: New Zealand win and clinch maiden Test championship title
India vs New Zealand WTC Final Day 6 Live Cricket Score Updates: Shami’s 11th over turns out to be the final one of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, as Williamson plucks a single off the third ball before Taylor — a veteran cricketer who has been without title success for so long — seals the win with a boundary off the penultimate delivery. New Zealand defeat India by eight wickets and win their second ICC title!
 "Highlights, IND vs NZ WTC Final, Day 6, Full Cricket Score: New Zealand win and clinch maiden Test championship title")
That brings us to the end of our coverage of the two-year-long ICC World Test Championship, a journey stretching back two years than began with the first Test of the 2019 Ashes. New Zealand started off with a couple of bumps, getting held to a 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka and suffering a 3-0 whitewash in Australia, but their incredible consistency since then, sweeping sides such as India, Pakistan and West Indies as well as their top-tier performance in the summit clash against the Indians in Southampton lead to the ‘nice guys’ being crowned the inaugural world Test champions. Spare a thought for the Indians, who had a perfect home run and pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime heist in Australia along the way, but fell short in yet another ICC final.
Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Time to take a break from Test cricket for a bit as we shift our focus to some white-ball action, starting with the first T20I between England and Sri Lanka in Cardiff which is underway at the moment. On behalf of my colleague Shubham, this is Amit signing off, bidding you all good night!
Kane Williamson, NZ Captain:
Very special feelings. Yeah, couple of close games in the past. Nice to get over the line here. Congratulations to Virat and Indian team. Just great to see the heart showed to get over the line. It is hard for me to say it is the greatest moment in our history but it is a special feeling. Special achievement and one to remember. I think for us we know we don’t have the stars and I think we saw a lot of heart and commitment which was as great, we know how strong this Indian side is. It is not always easy in final and anything can happen. Throughout the match, through the ebbs and flows, no one really knew the outcome. That (first innings batting) was tough, they (Indians) are amazing attack and did not get you much for a long period. That lead was important. Very sporting surface. Ross is very experienced. Nice to be a part of partnership with Ross and be there till the end. I don’t know if he (Watling) is retiring anymore (chuckles). He really epitomises what this team is. Amazing career and been a huge part of the team. A great occasion to celebrate. A fantastic career.
Kyle Jamieson is Player of the Match
Jamieson: It is massive. To be standing up here now is surreal. This is a very good Indian side, beating them would be tough task we knew it. Yeah, Kane has a lot of trust in me. I just wanted to play a part. Nice to get ball in hand. Spends six weeks in RCB dressing room with him (Kohli) and it was awesome.
BJ Watling, playing his final game in international cricket today, speaks to Michael Atherton after the game:
“Pretty ecstatic to be honest. It been a lot of hard work over a long period of time for our team as a group, and to get over the line like that is pretty special. I guess chasing a total like that on a wicket that was definitely offering was pretty special. (Did he think he’d end up a world Test champion) No. That wasn’t around when I started. It’s extremely exciting for the game. I’m pretty stoked to get over the line. (Support along the way) My family back home. My mum’s pushed me through some tough times, my wife Jess and my two boys. I had a huge amount of support throughout the years, none more so than from my teammates.”
Two great teams at their best. Congratulations to India and New Zealand on a terrific match.
You cannot thank @BCCI enough for their commitment to test cricket and the way they leading our favourite format into the future.@BLACKCAPS congrats, the people’s champions!
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) June 23, 2021
#TestCricket #BCCI #IndiaVsNewZealand #WTC2021Final
The NZ dressing room after the Taylor winning shot!
Significant dates! ✍🏽 #WTC21 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/kjwxzqfOTX
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021
After 45.5 overs,New Zealand 140/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 52 , Ross Taylor 47)
Shami’s 11th over turns out to be the final one of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, as Williamson plucks a single off the third ball before Taylor — a veteran cricketer who has been without title success for so long — seals the win with a boundary off the penultimate delivery.
New Zealand defeat India by eight wickets and win their second ICC title!
After 45 overs,New Zealand 135/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 51 , Ross Taylor 43)
Ishant bowls a couple of deliveries before having to leave the field after getting struck on his hand while attempting to stop the ball. Bumrah fills in for the pace spearhead, conceding two off the remaining deliveries. New Zealand now just one hit to the fence away from a historic victory.
After 44 overs,New Zealand 133/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 51 , Ross Taylor 41)
Shami replaces Jadeja and bowls out a very eventful over, one in which Williamson gets dropped near the third man region after a thick outside edge off the penultimate delivery — a shot similar to the one that got Pant dismissed early today. The Kiwi skipper makes the most of the reprieve, smacking the next ball towards the midwicket fence to bring up his 33rd Test fifty, finally getting there after having fallen short by a run in the previous innings. NZ need just six more to win.
After 43 overs,New Zealand 125/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 43 , Ross Taylor 41)
Plenty of runs in Ishant’s sixth over, including a boundary to Williamson off the fourth delivery along with a treble each to the NZ skipper and Taylor. 10 from the over, with NZ needing just 14 more to win now.
After 42 overs,New Zealand 115/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 36 , Ross Taylor 38)
No change from the Northern End though as Jadeja continues, bowling five dots on the trot before Williamson steps out of his crease in the last delivery, driving past mid on to end the over with a boundary. NZ need 24 to win.
After 41 overs,New Zealand 111/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 38)
Ishant brought back in place of Bumrah, the latter having bowled a good spell without reaping the reward of a wicket. Two off the over, with Taylor clipping the ball behind square on the leg side for a brace off the third delivery. NZ need 28 to win.
After 40 overs,New Zealand 109/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 36)
The Indians still are trying to maintain a positive body language even if the prospect of stopping the Kiwis from coasting to victory are close to nil. If it was the close-in fielders applauding Bumrah’s efforts in the previous over, Pant certainly is cheering Jadeja on in this one. Just a single from the left-arm spinner’s latest over. NZ need 30 more to win.
After 39 overs,New Zealand 108/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 35)
Bumrah starts off with a beauty to Williamson, the ball a fraction of an inch away from the outer edge. The Kiwi skipper’s taken slightly aback by the extra bounce in the third ball, but plays with soft hands to prevent any chance of the ball looping over to one of the fielders. Williamson somewhat blemishes what was turning out to be a solid over from Bumrah with a boundary off the last ball. NZ need 31 to win.
After 38 overs,New Zealand 104/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 28 , Ross Taylor 35)
Williamson and Taylor have provided exactly what the Indians had sorely missed in their second essay — a long, confidence-boosting partnership, one that has virtually extinguished India’s hopes that had gathered momentum after Ashwin’s twin-striker. Four from Jadeja’s sixth over, including another front-foot no ball. Time for a second drinks break in the extended final session of the game. NZ need 35 more to win from 15 overs with eight wickets in hand.
After 37 overs,New Zealand 100/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Ross Taylor 34)
Bumrah continues to get the extra bounce while pitching it slightly short to Taylor in the first two deliveries. Taylor pokes at a short of length ball off the fourth delivery, guiding it towards fine leg to bring up the 100 for the Kiwis. Four from the over. Just 39 needed for the Black Caps from 16 overs with eight wickets in hand.
After 36 overs,New Zealand 96/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Ross Taylor 30)
Four off Jadeja’s fifth over of the innings, with Williamson bringing up the fifty partnership with Taylor by helping the full delivery towards fine leg. NZ need just 43 more runs with eight wickets in hand.
After 35 overs,New Zealand 92/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 30)
Taylor tucks the ball behind square on the leg side at the start of the over, collecting a brace. Bumrah gives Rosco some rough treatment three balls later with a delivery that kicks up sharply and pings him on the side of the helmet, leading to a brief interruption in play. Dot off the remaining deliveries once play resumes.
After 34 overs,New Zealand 90/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 28)
Jadeja does his part in improving India’s over rate as he dishes out six deliveries in no time, with just one coming off it as Taylor keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery. NZ need 49 to win.
After 33 overs,New Zealand 89/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 27)
Majestic drive through extra cover by Williamson at the start of Bumrah’s seventh over, both middling and placing it perfectly. Five dots follow. NZ need another 50 to win with eight wickets in hand.
After 32 overs,New Zealand 85/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 27)
Pant’s back with the keeper’s gloves. Loud appeal for LBW against Taylor at the start of the over, with the batsman missing the ball while attempting to paddle the ball towards fine leg, but appeared to have been struck on his pad outside the line. Tidy stuff from Jadeja as he collects a maiden.
After 31 overs,New Zealand 85/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 27)
Kohli ditches the spin-from-both-ends plan, bringing Bumrah back from the Northern End with the ICC Mace fast slipping out of his grasp. Bumrah creates a chance in the fourth delivery as Taylor nicks a length ball to the slips, only for Pujara to spill it in the last second, extending Bumrah’s wicketless run in this game. Just the one from this over, with Taylor setting off for a single soon after the drop. NZ need 54 more to win.
After 30 overs,New Zealand 84/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 26)
Jadeja continues from the Pavilion End. Taylor cuts the ball hard through point off the second delivery, with Pujara and Shami giving the ball a spirited chase, the latter putting in a slide to save a boundary as Rosco runs three. Williamson goes for a similar shot in the penultimate delivery, and does one better than his partner as he collects a boundary. Seven from the over. NZ need another 55 to win.
After 28 overs,New Zealand 74/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 13 , Ross Taylor 21)
Kohli does end up getting Jadeja into the attack after all with India’s hopes of staving off defeat shrinking with each passing over. Williamson and Taylor, meanwhile, keep the scoreboard ticking through singles as four come off the left-arm spinner’s first over of the innings, one of which is a front-foot no ball. NZ need 65 to win.
After 27 overs,New Zealand 70/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 19)
Ishant back into the attack, replacing Shami. Offers Taylor width in the second delivery, and New Zealand’s most successful Test run-getter responds with a cracking cut to collect his fourth boundary. Works the ball behind square three balls later, this time getting only a single. Dot to end the over, with five coming off it. NZ need another 69 to win.
After 26 overs,New Zealand 65/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 14)
Taylor drives the ball down the ground through mid on off the fourth ball after three consecutive dots, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Tidy over from Ash with just one coming off it. With the Ashwin-Shami combine starting to lose its edge, maybe Kohli could give Jadeja an over or two to see how things pan out? New Zealand, after all, need just 74 more to win with eight wickets and two set batsmen at the crease.
After 25 overs,New Zealand 64/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 13)
Williamson cuts a short and wide delivery from Shami off the third ball, with Jadeja diving to his right to stop it. The NZ skipper decides to hit in front of square two balls later, punching a back-of-length ball past extra cover to collect his first boundary. The experienced pair have absorbed the pressure and have actually deflected some of it back to the Indians with the fours. NZ need 75 to win.
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