India and New Zealand will play against each other at the World Test Championship final in Southampton from June 18. International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Friday that if the clash ends in a tie or draw, both the teams will be adjudged joint winners of the inaugural tournament. 

According to the global cricket body, “a draw or a tie will see both teams crowned as joint winners.” A reserve day has also been allocated to make up for any lost time during the scheduled days of the WTC Final from June 18 to 22, with June 23 kept as reserve day. 

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“The decisions were taken back in June 2018, before the WTC started.” Reserve day has been set so that five full days of play can be ensured. ICC stated, “There will be no additional day’s play if a positive result is not achieved after five full days of play and the match will be declared a draw in such a scenario.”

If in case, the event of time is being lost during the match, the referee will update the teams and media about the provision of Reserve Day and how it may be used. 

With the start of the last hour on the fifth day, the final decision regarding the Reserve Day will be announced. The game will be played with Grade 1 Dukes balls, as both team play with different balls at home. 

The final will also feature the implementation of three changes to international playing conditions, which were brought into effect with the ongoing World Cup Super League series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka: Short Runs — The Third Umpire will automatically review any call of a ‘short run’ by the on-field umpire and communicate the decision prior to the next ball being bowled.

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Player Reviews — The fielding captain or the dismissed batsman will be able confirm with the umpire whether a genuine attempt has been made to play the ball prior to deciding whether to initiate a review for LBW.

DRS Reviews — For LBW reviews, the height margin of the wicket zone has been lifted to the top of the stumps to ensure the same Umpire’s Call margin around the stumps for both height and width.