India and Australia are all set to lock horns in the much-awaited ICC World Test Championship Final 2023, to be played at the Oval in London from June 7-12. While there has been much debate about which team is going to win the second cycle of the WTC and lift the Test Mace, the ICC has released the Playing Conditions for the high-octane summit clash.
One of the most talked about topics within the fans have been the Reserve Day for the WTC Final 2023. After the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 Final was decided on the reserve day owing to incessant rain in Ahmedabad, there has been much interest on what conditions have ICC set in regards to the Reserve Day.
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WTC Final 2023: What are the rules for Reserve Day?
- If no result is achieved on the 5th day, then the Reserve Day shall consist of Lost Playing Time less any time utilised, capped at a maximum of 330 minutes, plus the Actual Last Hour.
- Accordingly, the maximum duration for the Reserve Day shall be a minimum of 330 minutes (or 83 overs, whichever is the latter), plus the last hour.
- The extra time available for the Reserve Day shall be the difference between 330 minutes and the scheduled playing time at the start of the Reserve Day as per paragraph 8 (excluding the Actual Last Hour).
- If play is suspended for any reason other than normal intervals on the Reserve Day prior to the Actual Last Hour, playing time for the Reserve Day shall be extended by the time lost, up to the amount of extra time available.
- If the Actual Last Hour commences while there is still some extra time available, then if play is subsequently suspended for any reason other than normal intervals, the time for the completion of the Actual Last Hour shall be deferred by the time lost, up to the amount of extra time available.
- Once the extra time available has been fully utilized, the minimum number of overs prior to the Actual Last Hour shall be reduced by 1 over for each full 4 minutes of further aggregate playing time lost. If play is interrupted during the Actual Last Hour with all extra time fully utilized.
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WTC Final 2023: What is Lost Playing Time?
- Lost Playing Time is defined as the minutes lost as a consequence of play being suspended for any reason other than normal intervals through the scheduled 5 days of the match up to the start of the Scheduled Last Hour on the 5th day.
- If the time lost exceeds the extra time provision prior to the start of the Actual Last Hour, the rescheduled close will be 60 minutes after the start of Lost Playing Time, or at the start of the Actual Last Hour, whichever is earlier (i.e., the Actual Last Hour may not commence unless there remains sufficient time for it to be completed on the 5th day). The Reserve Day will thus comprise any remaining Lost Playing Time and the Actual Last Hour.
WTC Final 2023: Who will win if the Reserve Day is washed out?
If the WTC Final is drawn, tied, or abandoned, the teams shall be declared joint winners of the ICC World Test Championship.