Overcast conditions along with persistent rain in Southampton is likely to affect play on Day 4 of the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand on Monday.
When play was called off due to bad light on Day 3, New Zealand were 101/2 in the first innings in reply to India’s 217. Kane Williamson (12*) and Ross Taylor (0*) – their two most senior batters – were at the crease. If play resumes, they will try to build on the platform laid by Devon Conway (54) and Tom Latham (30).
According to the local Met department, Southampton will experience ‘heavy rain’ on Monday. BBC Weather predicts ‘high chance of precipitation’ until at least three in the afternoon. There are light showers expected even after that. The temperature will hover around 13 degrees.
Even if the rain stops, it will be a tough ask for the groundsmen to get ground fit to play. The pitch is being protected by a weatherproof hover cover, but the outfield is being exposed to the downpour. To dry the arena and make it safe for the players will take time. Furthermore, under these conditions, bad light will also come into play, as we have already noticed in this Test match.
The opening day of the WTC final was washed out without a ball being bowled. Day 2 saw 64.4 overs of play whereas on Day 3, we had 77.1 overs. If Day 4 gets washed out, getting a result from this game will be very tough despite a reserve day.
Nevertheless, if the game resumes, New Zealand will adapt a cautious approach. They still trail by 116, a significant number in a low-scoring Test match. If they can bat around another 70-80 overs and get a lead of 50-60, their fast bowlers can put India under pressure in the second innings.
For India to extract something out of this game, the bowlers need to bowl New Zealand out inside the next 45-50 overs. Thereafter, Kohli & co. will be in a position to force the issue. Weather predictions for Days 5 and 6 are better. About 180 overs of play are still left in this Test match.