24 June,2021 09:35 AM IST | Mumbai | Rohan Koli
(clockwise) Mohammed Shami, R Ashwin, Kyle Jamieson, Kane Williamson
New Zealand beat India by eight wickets to win the World Test Championship at Southampton on Wednesday. Both teams fought hard till the last day before the Kiwis went on to clinch the inaugural trophy.
mid-day.com takes a look at five players who made crucial contributions in the final.
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New Zealand pacer Kyle Jamieson was the wrecker-in-chief as he claimed five wickets in the first innings, including the crucial scalp of skipper Virat Kohli to derail India's batting from 149-3 to 217 all out. The 6 ft, 8 inch-tall pacer dashed India's hopes of a draw as he accounted for the big wickets of Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara in the sixth and eighth over of the last day's play. (Pic/ Getty Images)
Kane Williamson was not at his best during the first Test against England earlier this month, but the New Zealand captain rose to the occasion scoring 49 in the first innings as the Kiwis took a crucial lead over India after a middle-order collapse. The right-handed batsman led the way with 52 not out in the second innings, which included eight fours to take New Zealand over the line. (Pic/ AFP)
Pacer Tim Southee wasn't impressive with the ball in the first innings but played a crucial knock with the bat at No. 9, scoring 30, to help New Zealand take a 32-run lead. He, however, made amends in the second essay by claiming four wickets, which included big wickets of openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. (Pic/ AFP)
R Ashwin, who finished the World Test Championship as the leading wicket-taker (71 in 14 Tests), claimed four wickets in the final. The off-spinner made his presence felt in overcast conditions that favoured fast bowlers. Ashwin provided India early breakthroughs by claiming the wicket of opener Tom Latham in both innings. (Pic/ AP,PTI)
Right-arm pacer Mohammed Shami claimed four wickets in the first innings with his incisive swing bowling to bring India back into the game on Day Five. He accounted for Ross Taylor, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme and Kyle Jamieson as New Zealand collapsed from 117-2 to 192-7. Shami, however, wasn't effective in the second innings as India failed to defend a 139-run target. (Pic/ AFP)
Also Read: NZ beat India by 8 wkts to lift first-ever World Test Championship trophy
