New Zealand were crowned the first Test world champions after completing a stunning eight-wicket win over India on a dramatic sixth day of the final in Southampton.
A draw looked likely when play began but New Zealand dismissed India and completed a tricky chase of 139 with relative ease as time ran out.
It saw New Zealand topple cricket’s superpower India and claim the biggest win in their history – their first triumph in a major global cricket tournament.
The action on the reserve day, needed because of all the time lost to the weather earlier in the match, also provided a fitting finale to the World Test Championship which was introduced in 2019 to provide greater context to the world’s oldest and longest format.
This was Test cricket at its best – a race for runs and wickets with the ticking clock adding further intrigue.
Throughout it all, New Zealand, as is their style, managed to look typically calm, despite the noisy crowd of around 3,000 spectators largely supporting their opposition.
BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “All that disappointment of the World Cup two years ago is forgotten – at least for now. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor faced a real battle when they came together. What a tremendous performance from New Zealand.”
Former New Zealand captain Jeremy Coney: “New Zealand have been aiming for this for a long time so it’s the end of a long journey. They have played their hearts out. It’s a victory for discipline over a team with more flair. The conditions certainly suited New Zealand.”
New Zealand bowler Tim Southee, speaking to Sky Sports: “The first World Test Championship winners sounds pretty good. There’s been a lot of hard work gone into it.
“We never give up, there’s a lot of heart in this side so it’s very satisfying to look back together on what we’ve achieved over the last few years.”
India captain Virat Kohli: “This morning was the difference. The Kiwi bowlers executed their plans to perfection. They put us under pressure. We were 30 or 40 short to put them under serious pressure in the last innings.”
