In what would be the most decisive Test match ever, India and New Zealand face off in the 2019-21 ICC World Test Championship final at the Rose Bowl in Southampton from Friday. It would be the maiden final of the first-ever edition of the tournament.
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It looks set to be a head-on clash, with records bound to be scripted. As we await the beginning of the game from Friday, we look at some of the vital stats on the eve of it, thanks to Opta.
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First India-New Zealand Test in a neutral venueIn a first, it would be the first Test involving India and New Zealand in a neutral venue. While New Zealand has already played neutral Test before against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates, it would be the first for India.
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A good run in a long timeConsidering the teams' run in the past few games, India has lost just a Test in its last nine outings, winning seven and drawing one. As for New Zealand, it is unbeaten in its previous eight Tests, while its last longest run was between 2002-03, staying unbeaten in nine Tests.
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A good run since 2020In an interesting stat, since 2020, India and New Zealand have the best bowling strike rate in the format. While India is on top with 50.9, New Zealand is placed second with 53.4. Also, the Kiwi has the best catch success percentage (80%), while India has 76%.
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Is Kane Williamson wary of Ravichandran Ashwin?Kiwi skipper Williamson is one of the best batsmen in the world. However, he struggles against veteran off-spinner Ashwin, as he has fallen to him on five occasions, the joint-most to any bowler, including Pragyan Ojha. Also, he has a false shot percentage of 21.9 against Ashwin, which is the highest against any bowler, having faced at least 150 deliveries.
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Trent Boult: The king in EnglandBoult is undoubtedly the best pacer New Zealand has today. Furthermore, he has claimed 27 Test wickets in England, which is his most in any country. Also, with a bowling SR of 49.1, it is his second-best in the country after Sri Lanka (44.1).
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Ravindra Jadeja eyes a batting milestoneJadeja has so far scored 1,954 runs in the format. If he manages to score 46 more, he will enter the 2,000-run club in the format and become the 42nd Indian to do so.
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Ajinkya Rahane eyes a breakthrough on the fieldRahane has one of the safest hands in the field, claiming 95 catches in the format so far. Five more, and he would become the sixth Indian to claim 100 catches in the same.NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona
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