Persistent rain prevented any play between India and New Zealand on day four of the World Test Championship Final ©Getty Images

The weather was the winner on the fourth day of the World Test Championship Final between India and New Zealand, as persistent rain prevented any play at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, England.

It was the second day of the match where no play was possible after the opening day on Friday also suffered the same fate.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today confirmed the designated reserve day on Wednesday (June 23) would also be used barring a highly unlikely clattering of wickets leading to a result tomorrow.

There is a more promising weather forecast for the next two days and with extra overs able to be added depending on conditions plenty of cricket is left for one of the two teams to force a win.

Fans at the Hampshire Bowl created their own entertainment with no play possible due to rain ©Getty Images
Fans at the Hampshire Bowl created their own entertainment with no play possible due to rain ©Getty Images

When play does resume, New Zealand will restart on 101-2, 116 runs behind their opponents with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease.

The Black Caps are replying to India’s total of 217 all out which featured 49 for Ajinkya Rahane and 44 to captain Virat Kohli, while New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson took five wickets for 31 runs – his fifth five wicket haul in eight Test matches.

In the event the match is drawn, the two sides will share the trophy, which is being contested for the first time after it was created to bring it into line with the sport’s limited overs formats in having a championship to crown the best team in the world.