Highlights, IND vs NZ WTC Final, Day 6, Full Cricket Score: New Zealand win and clinch maiden Test championship title

23:55 (IST)

That brings us to the end of our coverage of the two-year-long ICC World Test Championship, a journey stretching back two years than began with the first Test of the 2019 Ashes. New Zealand started off with a couple of bumps, getting held to a 1-1 draw in Sri Lanka and suffering a 3-0 whitewash in Australia, but their incredible consistency since then, sweeping sides such as India, Pakistan and West Indies as well as their top-tier performance in the summit clash against the Indians in Southampton lead to the ‘nice guys’ being crowned the inaugural world Test champions. Spare a thought for the Indians, who had a perfect home run and pulled off a once-in-a-lifetime heist in Australia along the way, but fell short in yet another ICC final.

Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Time to take a break from Test cricket for a bit as we shift our focus to some white-ball action, starting with the first T20I between England and Sri Lanka in Cardiff which is underway at the moment. On behalf of my colleague Shubham, this is Amit signing off, bidding you all good night!

23:48 (IST)

Kane Williamson, NZ Captain:

Very special feelings. Yeah, couple of close games in the past. Nice to get over the line here. Congratulations to Virat and Indian team. Just great to see the heart showed to get over the line. It is hard for me to say it is the greatest moment in our history but it is a special feeling. Special achievement and one to remember. I think for us we know we don't have the stars and I think we saw a lot of heart and commitment which was as great, we know how strong this Indian side is. It is not always easy in final and anything can happen. Throughout the match, through the ebbs and flows, no one really knew the outcome. That (first innings batting) was tough, they (Indians) are amazing attack and did not get you much for a long period. That lead was important. Very sporting surface. Ross is very experienced. Nice to be a part of partnership with Ross and be there till the end. I don't know if he (Watling) is retiring anymore (chuckles). He really epitomises what this team is. Amazing career and been a huge part of the team. A great occasion to celebrate. A fantastic career. 

23:42 (IST)

Virat Kohli, India captain: "Big congratulations to Kane and the whole team. They showed great consistency and heart over the three days. They thoroughly deserve the win. First day got washed out, and when play resumed, it was difficult to get any sort of momentum. We did really well with the ball first innings to pull things nicely. This morning was crucial. In the end, I think we were 30-40 short to put them under serious pressure. (On team combination) The combination that we played, we have been successful over different conditions. If we had more game time and the wicket wore out a bit more, the spinners might have had a bigger role. (On MoM Kyle Jamieson) He’s a quality cricketer and coming up nicely in international cricket. He’s certainly got the same attitude when he plays there (RCB) as he does for New Zealand. (On WTC) It’s great for the game. This format will definitely keep Test cricket exciting. No Test match will be boring. (Excited for England Tests?) Definitely we are. Long summer ahead, but we definitely have the squad to do something special."

23:37 (IST)

Kyle Jamieson is Player of the Match

Jamieson: It is massive. To be standing up here now is surreal. This is a very good Indian side, beating them would be tough task we knew it. Yeah, Kane has a lot of trust in me. I just wanted to play a part. Nice to get ball in hand. Spends six weeks in RCB dressing room with him (Kohli) and it was awesome.

23:33 (IST)

BJ Watling, playing his final game in international cricket today, speaks to Michael Atherton after the game:

"Pretty ecstatic to be honest. It been a lot of hard work over a long period of time for our team as a group, and to get over the line like that is pretty special. I guess chasing a total like that on a wicket that was definitely offering was pretty special. (Did he think he'd end up a world Test champion) No. That wasn’t around when I started. It’s extremely exciting for the game. I’m pretty stoked to get over the line. (Support along the way) My family back home. My mum’s pushed me through some tough times, my wife Jess and my two boys. I had a huge amount of support throughout the years, none more so than from my teammates."

23:18 (IST)

Ross Taylor: Obviously, still sinking in. Liked the way the team fought. Kane has been a fantastic leader for the team for a long time. Has to be the biggest highlight in my career. This is for the fans back home. It was nice to be able to stand up today. That (Bumrah bouncer that hit him on the head) definitely took off, thanks to my helmet for saving me. 2019 World Cup was tough for us. 

23:15 (IST)

Two great teams at their best. Congratulations to India and New Zealand on a terrific match.

You cannot thank @BCCI enough for their commitment to test cricket and the way they leading our favourite format into the future.@BLACKCAPS congrats, the people’s champions!

#TestCricket #BCCI #IndiaVsNewZealand #WTC2021Final

— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) June 23, 2021

23:10 (IST)

The NZ dressing room after the Taylor winning shot!

Significant dates! ✍???? #WTC21 #BACKTHEBLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/kjwxzqfOTX

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) June 23, 2021

23:09 (IST)

After 45.5 overs,New Zealand 140/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 52 , Ross Taylor 47)

Shami’s 11th over turns out to be the final one of the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship, as Williamson plucks a single off the third ball before Taylor — a veteran cricketer who has been without title success for so long — seals the win with a boundary off the penultimate delivery.

New Zealand defeat India by eight wickets and win their second ICC title!

23:06 (IST)

FOUR! Taylor finishes off in style, whipping the ball away towards the square leg fence off Shami! New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Champions as they win the final by eight wickets, and end their 21-year wait for a second ICC title! NZ 140/2

23:03 (IST)

After 45 overs,New Zealand 135/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 51 , Ross Taylor 43)

Ishant bowls a couple of deliveries before having to leave the field after getting struck on his hand while attempting to stop the ball. Bumrah fills in for the pace spearhead, conceding two off the remaining deliveries. New Zealand now just one hit to the fence away from a historic victory.

23:00 (IST)

After 44 overs,New Zealand 133/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 51 , Ross Taylor 41)

Shami replaces Jadeja and bowls out a very eventful over, one in which Williamson gets dropped near the third man region after a thick outside edge off the penultimate delivery — a shot similar to the one that got Pant dismissed early today. The Kiwi skipper makes the most of the reprieve, smacking the next ball towards the midwicket fence to bring up his 33rd Test fifty, finally getting there after having fallen short by a run in the previous innings. NZ need just six more to win.

22:58 (IST)

FOUR! Fifty up for Kane Williamson and he gets to the milestone in style with a boundary off Shami! Takes 86 balls, with eight fours along the way. NZ 133/2

22:54 (IST)

After 43 overs,New Zealand 125/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 43 , Ross Taylor 41)

Plenty of runs in Ishant’s sixth over, including a boundary to Williamson off the fourth delivery along with a treble each to the NZ skipper and Taylor. 10 from the over, with NZ needing just 14 more to win now.

22:51 (IST)

FOUR! Whipped away towards the square leg fence by Williamson off Ishant! The Kiwis are flying towards the target now! NZ 122/2

22:50 (IST)

After 42 overs,New Zealand 115/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 36 , Ross Taylor 38)

No change from the Northern End though as Jadeja continues, bowling five dots on the trot before Williamson steps out of his crease in the last delivery, driving past mid on to end the over with a boundary. NZ need 24 to win.

22:50 (IST)

FOUR! Williamson steps out of the crease and drives the ball past mid on, collecting his sixth boundary in the process. NZ 115/2

22:49 (IST)

After 41 overs,New Zealand 111/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 38)

Ishant brought back in place of Bumrah, the latter having bowled a good spell without reaping the reward of a wicket. Two off the over, with Taylor clipping the ball behind square on the leg side for a brace off the third delivery. NZ need 28 to win.

22:39 (IST)

After 40 overs,New Zealand 109/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 36)

The Indians still are trying to maintain a positive body language even if the prospect of stopping the Kiwis from coasting to victory are close to nil. If it was the close-in fielders applauding Bumrah’s efforts in the previous over, Pant certainly is cheering Jadeja on in this one. Just a single from the left-arm spinner’s latest over. NZ need 30 more to win.

22:36 (IST)

After 39 overs,New Zealand 108/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 32 , Ross Taylor 35)

Bumrah starts off with a beauty to Williamson, the ball a fraction of an inch away from the outer edge. The Kiwi skipper’s taken slightly aback by the extra bounce in the third ball, but plays with soft hands to prevent any chance of the ball looping over to one of the fielders. Williamson somewhat blemishes what was turning out to be a solid over from Bumrah with a boundary off the last ball. NZ need 31 to win.

22:35 (IST)

FOUR! Superbly driven through the covers by Williamson off an ovepitched delivery from Bumrah, hit on the up. NZ 108/2

22:29 (IST)

After 38 overs,New Zealand 104/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 28 , Ross Taylor 35)

Williamson and Taylor have provided exactly what the Indians had sorely missed in their second essay — a long, confidence-boosting partnership, one that has virtually extinguished India’s hopes that had gathered momentum after Ashwin’s twin-striker. Four from Jadeja’s sixth over, including another front-foot no ball. Time for a second drinks break in the extended final session of the game. NZ need 35 more to win from 15 overs with eight wickets in hand.

22:24 (IST)

After 37 overs,New Zealand 100/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Ross Taylor 34)

Bumrah continues to get the extra bounce while pitching it slightly short to Taylor in the first two deliveries. Taylor pokes at a short of length ball off the fourth delivery, guiding it towards fine leg to bring up the 100 for the Kiwis. Four from the over. Just 39 needed for the Black Caps from 16 overs with eight wickets in hand.

22:22 (IST)

FOUR! Slightly short and going down leg, Taylor uses the pace on offer to guide it towards the fine leg fence. NZ 100/2

22:19 (IST)

After 36 overs,New Zealand 96/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 26 , Ross Taylor 30)

Four off Jadeja’s fifth over of the innings, with Williamson bringing up the fifty partnership with Taylor by helping the full delivery towards fine leg. NZ need just 43 more runs with eight wickets in hand.

22:18 (IST)

FOUR! Fifty-partnership up between Williamson and Taylor, the former bringing up the milestone with a paddle off Jadeja's bowling. The ball eventually wins the race to the fine leg fence. NZ 96/2

22:17 (IST)

After 35 overs,New Zealand 92/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 30)

Taylor tucks the ball behind square on the leg side at the start of the over, collecting a brace. Bumrah gives Rosco some rough treatment three balls later with a delivery that kicks up sharply and pings him on the side of the helmet, leading to a brief interruption in play. Dot off the remaining deliveries once play resumes.

22:08 (IST)

After 34 overs,New Zealand 90/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 28)

Jadeja does his part in improving India’s over rate as he dishes out six deliveries in no time, with just one coming off it as Taylor keeps the strike with a single off the last delivery. NZ need 49 to win.

22:06 (IST)

After 33 overs,New Zealand 89/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 22 , Ross Taylor 27)

Majestic drive through extra cover by Williamson at the start of Bumrah’s seventh over, both middling and placing it perfectly. Five dots follow. NZ need another 50 to win with eight wickets in hand.

22:06 (IST)

FOUR! Outstanding, absolutely outstanding from Williamson. Leans into a full delivery and simply pushes it past extra cover. None of the close-in fielders bothered to move a muscle. NZ 89/2

22:06 (IST)

After 32 overs,New Zealand 85/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 27)

Pant’s back with the keeper’s gloves. Loud appeal for LBW against Taylor at the start of the over, with the batsman missing the ball while attempting to paddle the ball towards fine leg, but appeared to have been struck on his pad outside the line. Tidy stuff from Jadeja as he collects a maiden.

21:59 (IST)

After 31 overs,New Zealand 85/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 27)

Kohli ditches the spin-from-both-ends plan, bringing Bumrah back from the Northern End with the ICC Mace fast slipping out of his grasp. Bumrah creates a chance in the fourth delivery as Taylor nicks a length ball to the slips, only for Pujara to spill it in the last second, extending Bumrah’s wicketless run in this game. Just the one from this over, with Taylor setting off for a single soon after the drop. NZ need 54 more to win.

21:54 (IST)

After 30 overs,New Zealand 84/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 18 , Ross Taylor 26)

Jadeja continues from the Pavilion End. Taylor cuts the ball hard through point off the second delivery, with Pujara and Shami giving the ball a spirited chase, the latter putting in a slide to save a boundary as Rosco runs three. Williamson goes for a similar shot in the penultimate delivery, and does one better than his partner as he collects a boundary. Seven from the over. NZ need another 55 to win.

21:52 (IST)

FOUR! Short and wide from Jadeja, Williamson rocks back and cuts it hard through backward point to collect his second boundary. NZ 84/2

21:46 (IST)

After 28 overs,New Zealand 74/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 13 , Ross Taylor 21)

Kohli does end up getting Jadeja into the attack after all with India’s hopes of staving off defeat shrinking with each passing over. Williamson and Taylor, meanwhile, keep the scoreboard ticking through singles as four come off the left-arm spinner’s first over of the innings, one of which is a front-foot no ball. NZ need 65 to win.

21:41 (IST)

After 27 overs,New Zealand 70/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 19)

Ishant back into the attack, replacing Shami. Offers Taylor width in the second delivery, and New Zealand’s most successful Test run-getter responds with a cracking cut to collect his fourth boundary. Works the ball behind square three balls later, this time getting only a single. Dot to end the over, with five coming off it. NZ need another 69 to win.

21:38 (IST)

FOUR! Crashed through the covers by Taylor, who makes the most of the width offered by Ishant two balls into his new spell. NZ 69/2

21:37 (IST)

After 26 overs,New Zealand 65/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 14)

Taylor drives the ball down the ground through mid on off the fourth ball after three consecutive dots, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Tidy over from Ash with just one coming off it. With the Ashwin-Shami combine starting to lose its edge, maybe Kohli could give Jadeja an over or two to see how things pan out? New Zealand, after all, need just 74 more to win with eight wickets and two set batsmen at the crease.

21:33 (IST)

After 25 overs,New Zealand 64/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 12 , Ross Taylor 13)

Williamson cuts a short and wide delivery from Shami off the third ball, with Jadeja diving to his right to stop it. The NZ skipper decides to hit in front of square two balls later, punching a back-of-length ball past extra cover to collect his first boundary. The experienced pair have absorbed the pressure and have actually deflected some of it back to the Indians with the fours. NZ need 75 to win.

21:32 (IST)

FOUR! First boundary for the New Zealand captain as he punches a back-of-length delivery in front of square, the ball racing away to the unprotected fence. NZ 64/2

21:29 (IST)

After 24 overs,New Zealand 60/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 13)

It’s that boundary off Shami’s bowling in the previous over that seems to have brought about a change in his approach, as he collects two boundaries in three deliveries off Ashwin’s bowling, targeting both sides of the wicket. The momentum shifts back in New Zealand’s favour after the flurry of fours, and India will have to come up with a new trick if they are to defend the modest target. NZ need another 79 to win.

21:27 (IST)

FOUR! Taylor hits against the turn this time, sending the fielder at extra cover on a fruitless chase thanks to his impeccable timing. NZ 60/2

21:26 (IST)

FOUR! In the slot, and Taylor makes the most of it, going big over mid on while hitting with the turn! NZ 56/2

21:26 (IST)

After 23 overs,New Zealand 52/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 5)

Shami continues after the drinks break. Leg bye at the start of the over as the ball deflects off Williamson’s thigh towards long leg. Taylor cuts a full, wide delivery next ball, but is intercepted by Jadeja at backward point. He finally gets off the mark with a boundary, collecting a boundary as he picks the gap between backward point and gully, before collecting a single off the fifth. Six from the over. New Zealand, having cross the fifty-run mark, need another 87 to win.

21:25 (IST)

FOUR! Taylor takes 19 deliveries to get off the mark, threading the gap between backward point and gully with a short, wide delivery from Shami. Also brings up the fifty for the Black Caps in the process. NZ 51/2

21:18 (IST)

After 22 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 0)

Taylor works the ball towards mid on off the penultimate delivery hoping to finally get off the mark, only to be sent back last second. He has faced 16 deliveries now with opening his account. Drinks called on the field now, with India having bowled 21 consecutive dots at the break.

21:15 (IST)

After 21 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 0)

Williamson looks to scurry for a single after tapping the ball towards midwicket, but has to abort his plan in the last second with Bumrah swooping in on the ball like a hawk. Pressure starting to build on the Kiwis with runs hard to come by at this stage. Maiden for Shami. NZ need 93 to win.

21:12 (IST)

After 20 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 0)

Back-to-back maidens for Ashwin, who gets a short leg along with leg slip and slip in this over, as Taylor remains defensive, poking away at the deliveries without setting off for a run. NZ need 93 to win.

21:11 (IST)

Ashwin at the peak of his powers

Ashwin didn't allow Taylor to close his bat face even once in that over. Stunning control of drift and length.

— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) June 23, 2021

21:07 (IST)

After 19 overs,New Zealand 46/2 ( Kane Williamson (C) 8 , Ross Taylor 0)

Appeal for LBW against Williamson at the start of Shami’s second over of the spell, but it’s the Indians in the stands more than the players in the middle who are appealing as this one’s hit fairly high. Williamson clips the ball through square leg for a brace off the third. Dot off each of the remaining deliveries, with Shami coming in wide in the last ball to angle it into the batsman. Just two off the over. NZ need 93 to win.