Tim Southee and Trent Boult opened the proceedings with the Dukes’ ball after New Zealand won the draw and chose to play on Day 2 of the World Trial Championship final. The Kiwis had perfect overcast skies to tap into, but things didn’t go very well for them initially. A few deliveries reached the correct length but missed the line. A few hit the right line but missed the length. The two leaders managed to swing the ball, but did not create enough doubts in the minds of Indian forerunners Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. It seemed like the leaders didn’t have the so-called pace and were trying too hard. As a result, Gill and Rohit ended up playing 20 overs in more useful conditions for the leaders.

Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara, watching the action from the comment box, wondered what was wrong with Boult and Southee. He explained why the leaders, especially in England where conditions favor them, should be easy at the start. Sit back, find your rhythm and then take matters into your own hands by exploiting the conditions, he said. It was only in these opening spells that New Zealand looked in a bad mood. When Kyle Jamieson grabbed the opening wicket of the WTC Finals, a classic away swinger threw harder on a good length that found Rohit’s advantage, things started to work out for them. New Zealand bowlers. Jamieson enabled the breakthrough by keeping it simple, trusting his skills, and executing them to perfection.

The test ended on reserve day with Ross Taylor hitting the winning points as New Zealand chased 139 points in 45.5 overs. They were the deserving champions of the inaugural WTC Finals and much of the credit goes to their leaders. Jamieson, inexperienced compared to his peers in the bowling department, was named player of the game. Five wickets in the first rounds and two in the second.

Before we get to Williamson and his four-pronged attack, it must be said that Virat Kohli and team management’s decision to stick with two spinners and three coaches wasn’t everything. absolutely wrong. With hindsight, arguments can be made that the captain missed the point by not playing a fourth point guard under favorable conditions. Someone like Mohammed Siraj would have been a big help with his swing. Or, if batting was to be considered as well, then Shardul Thakur had a case for his inclusion in the XI. He can swing the ball back and forth and he has shown his ability with the bat in Australia.

But, Kohli and Shastri went with their best XI to a very important final. Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the most consistent players with the bat for Team India and not to mention his abilities as a defensive player. There was no secret as to the conditions. It was pretty clear that the weather will remain overcast for most of the test and fast bowlers will find help.

India named their playing XI a day before the test and did not change it when Day 1 was abandoned without a ball being thrown due to persistent rain. Kohli was clear in his mind; he was decisive with his XI, whatever the conditions and that is always a positive sign for a captain. And to be clear, Indian bowlers, including spinners, did not cost the test. The strike at batting, especially on Day 6, played a big part in the loss.

However, blaming the beaters for the bad shots of the last day is also lacking in nuance. Yes, the execution of the shots from some of the famous Indian drummers deserves criticism, but it was part of their plan. Conditions relaxed on day 6 and the stick was supposed to be easy under the sun. The goal was to play positive cricket and score points in the second inning. There was enough time left in the test to force a positive result for India.

An incredible moment in @BLACKCAPS history

Congratulations to Kane Williamson and his team# WTC21 #INDvNZ

– ICC (@ICC) June 24, 2021

With an overnight score of 64-2 and a 32-point lead, India had to go for points in the opening session of the final day. Kohli admitted this after the loss. “The effort would be to try to score points and not worry about going out in test conditions. This is how you can put pressure on the opposition, otherwise you just sit there and hope you don’t get away with it and you’re not optimistic enough. You have to take calculated risks against a quality bowling attack like New Zealand. “

India’s approach is flawless, but they ran into some extremely skilled New Zealand bowlers who executed their plan all the way to the T, starting with Southee on Day 5. The way he brought the ball with subtle changes in the position of the wrists was like watching an artist at work. The entire set-up acts to keep Gill and Rohit out, kick the swingers, and then cause trouble with those entering witnessed by a man operating at the height of his powers.

Jamieson followed suit the next day, removing Kohli for the second time in the test, then explained Cheteshwar Pujara’s dismissal. Kohli and Pujara both expected the ball to come back, but they ended with the slight recoil. The beauty of the Dukes ball is that it retains the swing for many overs and that’s where the New Zealand pointers got dangerous.

Neil Wagner might not be your classic bowler swing, but his intelligence and pace of work has caused a headache for drummers around the world. Just look at how he sidelined Gill in the first innings and Jadeja in the second. In his first over in the opening innings, Wagner pulled out Gill with superb length just outside the stump. His previous two deliveries came back inside, but the one that got rid of Gill held his line and the batter was dragged into the push, tackling him to the keeper.

On day 6, Wagner beat Jadeja with a barrage of short throws, but the ball that sent him back was thrown slightly fuller and Jadeja couldn’t help but go get the shot and this resulted in a notch for the keeper. Not only did New Zealand pick the right bowling attack for the conditions, but the bowlers did their part to take advantage of those conditions.

The Indian bowlers did not do badly but the New Zealand leaders adapted to the conditions and made it count. Maybe the fact that they’ve already been to England for the two-test series has worked for them. While Indian bowlers limited run-flow and forced New Zealand to take risks, the reverse was not true for their counterparts. In the end, the New Zealand bowlers were better when it comes to wicket deliveries and that’s where they won the championship.

The final was a flawed test marred by rain delays but it was a fine cricket show. Bossed by New Zealand bowlers and finished with Williamson lifting the mace. Deserving world champions.