ICC congratulates New Zealand on winning first WTC title

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has congratulated New Zealand on winning the maiden World Test Championship title by defeating India. This is the first major ICC trophy for the Kiwis after reaching the final of the ODI World Cup in 2015 and 2019 and finished as runners-up.

ICC Executive CEO Geoff Allardyce said, “I would like to congratulate the first World Test champions New Zealand, who showed the skill and character required to become the best Test team in the world. I would also like to congratulate the Indian team, which performed consistently well to qualify for the finals and came so close to victory.

The ICC CEO said, “Both the teams showed their quality and it was an outstanding match of Test cricket, which will live long in the memories of cricket fans around the world.” The match was also played in a great spirit which highlighted the respect for each other among the teams. During the two-year World Test Championship, both Kane and Virat have publicly shared their desire to win the Test mace and it has been clearly visible over the past six days. The quality of the match was fitting for two of the best Test teams in the world and it was an exciting match.

“The conclusion of the first edition of the World Test Championship is a special moment for our sport as it is an event that has taken a long time to organize, but the last two years have clearly demonstrated the importance of context in Test cricket,” he said. And I am already looking forward to the Test series between England and India starting a month later.