The ICC World Test Championship Final is set to be played between the 18th and 22nd of June 2021. India and New Zealand will go head-to-head to determine the best Test playing nation in the world. The much-anticipated final marks the culmination of the first edition of the Test Championship, which the ICC started in August 2019 to revive viewer interest in the longest format of the game.
However, fans of the sport in several nations may end up disappointed as the event is being broadcast in only a handful of countries. But don’t worry! This article will help you understand how you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to watch the WTC Finals from any country that you’re currently in.
Where Will the ICC World Test Championship Final be Broadcast?
Cricket is an immensely popular sport in many nations across the world. Despite this, the ICC has official partnerships with broadcasters in only a small number of countries. The table below contains details of official broadcast partners for the ICC World Test Championship Final:
| Country | Official Broadcast and Streaming Partners |
|---|---|
| Australia | Fox Sports, BT Sport, Kayo Sports, 9Now |
| Bangladesh | Gazi TV (GTV), Maasranga TV, Rabbitholebd |
| Caribbean Nations | ESPN, FlowSports |
| Canada | Willow TV, Hotstar |
| India (Bhutan, Myanmar, Maldives and Nepal) | Star Sports, Sony Ten, FanCode, SonyLiv App, Hostar, DSport, DD Sports |
| Malaysia | Astro Cricket HD |
| Middle East and North Africa | OSN Sport Cricket HD |
| New Zealand | Sky Sports, Spark Sport |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Ten Cricket, Geo Super |
| Sri Lanka | Channel Eye |
| Sub-Saharan Africa & South Africa | SuperSport |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
| United States | Willow TV, Hotstar |
Note: Most of the services listed above require a paid subscription to view the content. We provide information on the cheapest way to view the Finals below.
How to Watch the Test Championship Final From Anywhere
Due to regional broadcast regulations, you may be blocked from accessing the streams mentioned above if you access them from a country where the match is not being broadcast. This can be overcome by using a VPN. A VPN changes your IP address and routes your traffic through a server in a country where the match is being officially broadcast. Use the step-by-step guide provided below to easily set up an account with a trusted VPN provider and watch the Final regardless of your location.
Step-by-step guide on how to use a VPN to watch ICC WTC Final
You will need a secure and reliable VPN with good unblocking capabilities to access streams from other countries. We would recommend using ExpressVPN due to its strong unblocking capabilities and fast speeds.
Follow these steps to watch the ICC WTC Final, wherever you are:
- Visit the website of your preferred VPN provider and purchase a subscription.
- Download and install the VPN app on your desired device and operating system (ExpressVPN supports Mac, Windows, Android, iOS, and Linux).
- Open the app and connect to servers in India or Australia.
- You’re all set to enjoy the gripping action unfold over five days.
We recommend India as it offers the most cost-effective subscription if you sign up for a Hotstar account (20.58 USD/year). Kayo Sports, in Australia, also offers a 14-day free trial for new users. So, if you haven’t created an account earlier, you should be able to watch the WTC Final for free! During our tests, both sites accepted credit card numbers based in the USA, so you shouldn’t need an Indian or Australian card to sign up.
Can a free VPN provider be used to watch the final?
You may choose to use a free VPN provider for watching the final, but these usually offer low speeds and limited bandwidth which is not suitable for a five-day event like the WTC Final. Additionally, free VPNs typically provide servers in limited countries. This may be a problem since the Final is being broadcast in a small number of nations to begin with. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has multiple servers in both India and Australia which are the best locations to catch the final.
The Road to the Final
The World Test Championship started with the iconic Ashes test series between England and Australia in August 2019. Over the last two years, India and New Zealand have established themselves as the two best Test teams in the world. India won 12 out of its 17 games, including a memorable win against Australia down under. New Zealand won seven out of the eleven matches they played. The full points table for the World Test Championship is as follows:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 17 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 520 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 11 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 420 |
| 3 | Australia | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 332 |
| 4 | England | 21 | 11 | 3 | 7 | 442 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 286 |
| 6 | West Indies | 13 | 4 | 6 | 3 | 160 |
| 7 | South Africa | 15 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 144 |
| 8 | Sri Lanka | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 80 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
What to Expect From the Test Championship Final
The final of the Test Championship pits two well balanced and complete teams against each other. The Rose Bowl in Southampton, which is the venue for the finals, has traditionally assisted fast bowlers. This could help the New Zealand team, which is blessed with an array of high-quality pace and swing bowlers. New Zealand has also played two tests in England over the last month which will have helped them acclimatise to the surroundings.
India, on the other hand, boasts an exceptional batting line up and a capable bowling attack spearheaded by Jasrpit Bumrah, who is widely recognised as one of the finest bowlers on the planet. The final also features the much-anticipated showdown between the captains, Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, who are the two best batsmen in the world at the moment.
Be sure to tune in and watch what is sure to be an action packed five days of the best that cricket has to offer.
