Southampton cricket ground: The Rose Bowl has been finalized as the venue to host the final match of the ICC World Test Championship.
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Despite no official confirmation from the ICC (International Cricket Council), enough eminent names have revealed that the final match of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand will be played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton.
Former India captain and current BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) President Sourav Ganguly is the latest high-profile name to comment on the venue stating that he is looking forward to visit Southampton in June.
“I’m looking forward to attending the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand in Southampton. It [final in Southampton instead of Lord’s] was decided long time ago.
A moment to cherish for #TeamIndia 🇮🇳🇮🇳
ICC World Test Championship Final – Here we come 😎💪🏻@Paytm #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/BzRL9l1iMH
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2021
“Due to COVID-19 and they have the hotel absolutely close. When England resumed play after COVID, they had a lot of matches in Southampton due to the same reason,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by India Today.
England, who hosted West Indies and Pakistan to resume international cricket in their international summer last year, had played as many as three Test matches in Southampton due to an on-site hotel.
Southampton cricket ground Test records by Indian cricket team
Contrary to other iconic venues in England, The Rose Bowl has only hosted six Tests till date. Out of these six, three Tests have witnessed a result. While England have won two matches in Southampton, West Indies had beaten England at the same venue in July 2020.
It is worth mentioning that both the English victories in Southampton have come against India. After beating India by 266 runs in 2014, England had again defeated them by 60 runs in 2018.
Having lost both their Tests in Southampton till date, India would be hope to make amends at the venue during the final match. As far as New Zealand are concerned, they are yet to play a Test match at the Rose Bowl.
India Batting Records in Southampton
| Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR | 100 | 50 |
| Virat Kohli | 2 | 171 | 42.75 | 51.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 2 | 168 | 56 | 41.27 | 0 | 3 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | 2 | 163 | 54.33 | 49.54 | 1 | 0 |
India Bowling Records in Southampton
| Player | Matches | Wickets | Avg | SR |
| Mohammed Shami | 2 | 7 | 36.42 | 60.8 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 1 | 5 | 41 | 67.6 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 1 | 4 | 24.25 | 58.5 |
