After a disappointing day 1 of the World Test Championship final which got washed out due to rain to Kiwi batsman Tom Latham has revealed that team New Zealand spent their time playing darts and table tennis on the very first day.
The first-ever World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand was unable to start due to continuous rain at the venue; Ageas Bowl Southampton. Team India has an opportunity to change the previously selected playing XI as the toss was unable to take place on Day 1.
“I think looking at conditions, the amount of water that has fallen from yesterday afternoon, there probably wasn’t a huge chance we were going to play. The guys were just trying to relax. There was a lot of table tennis, a lot of darts being played up in the team room. The guys are pretty relaxed, which has been good. We’ll have to give it another shot tomorrow and wait and see what happens,” Tom Latham said.
UPDATE – Unfortunately, play on Day 1 has been called off due to rains. 10.30 AM local time start tomorrow.#WTC21
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 18, 2021
According to the UK’s Met Office, the weather report for Day 2 looks better as the game is expected to begin at the perfect time with only a 10 percent chance of rain till 4 PM ( GMT ).
Obviously that can change before the toss: Tom Latham on Team India naming their playing XI in advance
The 29-year-old opined that looking at the overcast conditions he wouldn’t be surprised to see some changes in India’s playing XI, although India has announced their team in advance there is still a slight chance they might continue in the match with a different playing XI.
The Blackcaps, meanwhile, haven’t announced their playing XI as of now Kane Williamson & Co have kept their cards closed.
“We haven’t confirmed the final 11 yet. We’ll have to wait to have a chance to have a look at the wicket etc. I’m sure Kane [Williamson] and Steady (coach Gary Stead) have a few contingencies in the plan, but we’ll have to wait till the covers come off and we get a chance to play. Both teams can make changes before the toss so I guess we’re both in the same position. I know India have named their 11 but obviously, that can change before the toss,” Latham said.
🚨 NEWS 🚨
Here's #TeamIndia's Playing XI for the #WTC21 Final 💪 👇 pic.twitter.com/DiOBAzf88h
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2021
Tom Latham, the middle order didn’t have a great outing with the bat against England in the recent 2-match Test series. Latham was able to score only 88 runs across the four innings he batted with an average under 30.
