Final, Southampton, June 18, 2021, 03:00 PM

217/10(92.1ov) & 170/10(73.0ov)
249/10(99.2ov) & 140/2(45.5ov)

New Zealand beat India by 8 wickets

The New Zealand players are ready near the trophy, waiting for their skipper to come and lift it. Here comes Williamson and he does so. Very well deserved. A fitting end to Watling’s career. With that, the coverage of this Final also comes to an end. Hope you enjoyed our company. Cricketing action though does not end, there is a T20I game going on between Sri Lanka and England. You can catch all the action by switching tabs. Till then, take care and goodbye!
Williamson says it is a special feeling, he thanks Virat and his team and he is proud of the heart his team showed to win the game. Adds it is a huge moment for his country, he has been there for a short while but they have put in a lot of hard work and this will be celebrated and remembered. Mentions they do not have the stars but they have quality players and they held strong in this game and they had to. Adds no one had the upper hand for a long time but it was a really good last day for them. Ends by saying it was tough, they did not give them much and it was tough going but the batters showed a lot of heart and the lead was very important in the first innings. Finishes by saying Ross Taylor is always calm and it is good to be in a partnership with him. Says Watling is an amazing player, rises to the occasion when his side is in trouble and it is an end of a superb career.
Virat Kohli starts by congratulating New Zealand and feels they put in a massive effort to squeeze a result and they deserved it. Adds it was difficult to get momentum on Day 3, they did well with the ball but then the Kiwi bowlers did really well and put a lot of pressure on them and they were 30 to 40 runs short. Adds they need to have a fast bowling all-rounder but he feels this is their best side and had there been more game time, the spinners might have had more of a say. Also says Jamieson is a quality cricketer and is good with both bat and ball, he has the same attitude in franchise cricket too and is a really good player. Ends by saying this tournament is great for the game, Test cricket is the heartbeat of cricket and it is a great move and it is only going to get more exciting. Finishes by saying they are looking forward for the next series.
Kyle Jamieson, Man of the Match, says it is a massive moment in his career and to be standing up there is pretty surreal. Mentions they wanted to see how things pan out in the first hour, they wanted to land the ball in the right areas and see what happens against a quality Indian batting line-up. Adds it is good to have the ball in hand it is even better to get a couple of wickets. States he is pleased to get Virat twice, he is pleased to have spent time with him in the Indian T20 League and it was a joy to play against him here.
BJ Watling, says, he is proud to be here and to win this game is another feeling. States chasing a total like that on a wicket which was offering a lot was special. Mentions it is extremely exciting for the game to have a final like this in this format and he is pleased they got over the line. Also says his mom has been a huge help to him and so has his wife and his two boys, it is tough being away from them but it is all worth it. Ends by saying, the team has supported him a lot and he has enjoyed every moment.
Tim Southee says it sounds pretty good, and it is even better as we are crowned as the World Test Champions, with all the things going on the back it is a truly amazing feeling. Also says that, the two experienced guys in the middle, brought it home. Adds as an international sports person he would always look to improve in the future. Mentions this group of players are truly amazing and special. Says, Watling truly deserves it and he feels good for him as he ends his career on a high.
Ross Taylor says he is proud of the way the team fought. Adds Kane has been sensational. Adds this is a big highlight in his career and he thanks for their support and he hopes they have made them proud. Mentions it wasn’t easy to start but it got easier, the Indians never gave up and put a lot of pressure on them but he is happy they get over the line. Adds he is pleased he could see it till the end. Also says the 2019 WC was tough to digest but he is pleased they could win this.
They just needed to chase something under 140 in a little less than 2 sessions and they have done it in style. Their two most reliable players, Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson rose to the occasion.
Despite all of that, this game still seemed like heading towards a draw but a whole-hearted performance from all the Kiwi bowlers helped bowl India out within 80 overs.
Then with the bat, they went about things slowly, Conway set things up at the start with a fifty. There was a mini collapse in between but their skipper along with the tail helped his side take a lead. A slender one but still a handy lead.
The Kiwis are well-deserved winners one has to say. They won the toss on Day 2 after the first being washed out and elected to bowl, they weren’t at their best as India dominated Day 2 but they came roaring back on Day 3. From from 2 down for around 150, they bundled India out for just under 220. Jamieson was the star with a fifer.
What a victory for the Kiwis! What a team! THEY ARE THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONS! Just unbelievable, after all the rain and all the time we lost, a result has still been possible. Absolutely brilliant!
In over# 1
4
0
1
0
0
Mohammed Shami 31/0(10.5)
45.5
4
FOUR! Flicked away! It is Rosco to start the party for New Zealand. A full length ball, around middle, Ross Taylor flicks it away through mid-wicket for a boundary. NEW ZEALAND ARE THE FIRST WORLD TEST CHAMPIONS. THEY WIN BY 8 WICKETS!
45.4
.
Outside off, left alone.
45.3
1
A length ball, on off, Williamson works it towards third man for a quick single. 3 to win.
45.2
.
Play and a miss! A length ball, outside off, Williamson look to guide it towards third man, but misses.
45.1
.
A full length ball, on off, Williamson defends it out.
In over# 1
0
0
0
2
0
0
Jasprit Bumrah 35/0(10.4)