India vs New Zealand WTC Final: Another day ruined in rain, results unlikely

Southampton : Rain played a spoil sport as it washed away Day 4 of World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and New Zealand in Southampton. This happened for the second time in the game when whole day was washed out by the rain.

Overnight and early morning rain meant the pitch and square at Hampshire's headquarters remained fully covered when the match should have resumed at 10:30 am local time (0930 GMT). Play was finally abandoned for the day at 3:00 pm (1400 GMT), with Friday's first day having suffered a similar fate.

There are reports which say that the match referees are discussing on extending the game for a sixth day to achieve a result.

An absorbing day of high-quality cricket on Sunday, cut short by bad light despite the use of the Hampshire Bowl's floodlights, ended with New Zealand 101-2 in reply to India's first innings 217 -- a deficit of 116 runs.

With one day left as per usual five day schedule and a couple of innings are yet to be played, it appears that the game is going to end with no result.

India, as New Zealand had done after winning the toss, bowled well in helpful conditions with fast bowler Ishant Sharma having figures of 1-19 in 12 overs at Sunday's close and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin 1-20 in 12.

This match, the culmination of the inaugural World Test Championship that has spanned two years of series between the leading Test nations, is worth $1.6 million to the winners and $800,000 to the runners-up.