World Test Championship Final: Follow-on mark to be 200 runs

NEW DELHI: The World Test Championship (WTC) final between India and New Zealand will not see a reduction in follow-on mark even if the first day's play is lost completely due to the presence of a reserve day, state the playing conditions of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

In a five-day Test match, a team with a lead of 200 can impose follow-on. However, if that match is reduced to four or three days following washout on first day without a ball being bowled, the follow-on mark is reduced to 150.

With regard to follow-on rule, ICC playing conditions for regular WTC matches (clause 14) state: "14.1.1: The side which bats first and leads by at least 200 runs shall have the option of requiring the other side to follow their innings. 14.1.2: The same option shall be available in matches of shorter duration with the minimum leads as follows: 150 runs in a match of 3 or 4 days; 100 runs in a 2-day match; 75 runs in a 1-day match."

However, in case of the WTC final with a reserve day, even if the first day is washed out without a ball being bowled, the rule of follow-on will be as applied in a five-day Test. IANS

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