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The much-awaited opening day of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) between India and New Zealand was called off without a toss being held at Rose Bowl in Southampton on Friday. The rain did stop around 5:30 PM IST, and match officials made an inspection around 7:20 PM IST, but a wet outfield and probability of the return of rain forced them to call off the proceedings
According to the weather report, the second day is expected to remain ‘partly sunny’. However, there could be some rain after 2 PM (local time). The temperature on Saturday would be around the 18-20-degree-mark, whereas the humidity shall be around 80.
But the good news coming from Southampton is that the morning there is bright and sunny. Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik shared the image of the Ageas Bowl, where fans could see the sun is out, and if that stays, then the WTC final between India and New Zealand might finally begin at the right time.
Karthik, who is part of the broadcast unit, took to Twitter and captioned the image as: “Waking up to the Sun.”
Waking up to the sun ☀️#WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/ksizgYYwbB
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 19, 2021
Not surprisingly, Karthik’s post was well-received by fans, who desperately wanted to see a positive update.
Here is how fans reacted:
Good News 👇 https://t.co/KRuAqzsIAQ
— Sreedhar Pillai (@sri50) June 19, 2021
Positive News😌. #INDvNZ #WTC21 https://t.co/vn7pLBOnCz
— Shubham (@breathelfc) June 19, 2021
Good to see. Finally
Please be kind Surya dev 😍. https://t.co/3C3wgSvcCL— mechie (@mayankrai3133) June 19, 2021
Great visuals…Game is on today 🔥@BCCI @BLACKCAPS #Cricket #ICCWTCFinal #IndiaVsNewZealand #WTCFinal2021 #WTC21 https://t.co/24Qjosk0o9
— CricAddicts (@thatsportsguys) June 19, 2021
Wow. That's awesome https://t.co/XiSQVz6Ykg
— Gagan Thakur (@gagan_gt) June 19, 2021
Yess………🤩#WTCFinal2021 pic.twitter.com/3nRpzeS2sV
— Adi 🦒🎼 (@_not_adi_) June 19, 2021
#WTCFinal pic.twitter.com/RjJNyNS3qM
— THE 𓃵 (@imthepersonii) June 19, 2021
Hope we get to see the match
Rain Gods be kind on us 🤞
Waiting for your commentary#WTCFinal2021 #IndiaVsNewZealand #TeamIndia— Bakkuuu (@bakku009) June 19, 2021
Hope it remains throughout the day so we can witness match after long wait#WTCFinal2021
— V!shaL (@VishalF_2852) June 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/sonukum76758470/status/1406133468912766977
Yeh baat sun ke pic.twitter.com/AtRubqtypE
— Subhransu Samal 🇮🇳🚩 (@SubhransuSama19) June 19, 2021
Yes ramanan sirrrrr 😬 pic.twitter.com/kldpJnvmsa
— Yomi (@yomi2105) June 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/saiachalla1437/status/1406124108115431424
No one
Fans Every 5 min: pic.twitter.com/enxIvGsis5— Sourabh Belkar (@connect_sourabh) June 19, 2021
Maybe we will get some cricket today but don't think the whole day will be promising. Let's pray🙏
And can't wait to hear your commentery @DineshKarthik— Debdatta 𝕏 🇮🇳 (@NayakDebdatta) June 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/Shefalii24/status/1406126866444873735
— GURPANTH SANDHU (@Gurpanthinsan) June 19, 2021
https://twitter.com/7jaiswalshivam/status/1406123526759747585
A sunny morning out there in Southampton today. All set to witness some great cricketing action at WTC final.
Hope it's happening, pitch looks shaved too but still can't say untill both teams are on field & have some action before it rains for rest 4 remaining days.#WTCFinal2021— ℜ..✨ (@imkohliholic) June 19, 2021
Cc: @WasimJaffer14 pic.twitter.com/YPsBMsjO3O
— Rohit Yadav (@cricrohit) June 19, 2021
The ICC has already allocated a reserve day to make up any loss of time, and that has officially come into effect with half an hour delay into the second session, i.e. 6:40 PM IST on Day 1. So now, the two and half hours of play will be made up for the next five days, which basically means that each day will begin 30 minutes early. However, if a result is not accomplished even after the extra 30 minutes every day, including the full reserve day, in that case, both India and New Zealand will share the WTC title.