WTC final: 'Important match should NOT be played in UK,' says Kevin Pietersen

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen echoed thousands of cricket fans on Monday as he criticised the scheduling of the ultimate Test - the World Test Championship (WTC) final in England at this time of the year when the weather is so unpredictable in the UK.

Pietersen said that such a 'one-off' important game should not be played in the UK after the fourth day of the WTC final was washed out due to persistent rain at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton.  "It pains me to say it, but a ONE OFF & incredibly important cricket game should NOT be played in the UK," he wrote.

It pains me to say it, but a ONE OFF & incredibly important cricket game should NOT be played in the UK.

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) June 21, 2021

According to Pietersen, if it was up to him, he would have scheduled a one-off match like the WTC final in Dubai."If it was up to me, Dubai would always host a one off match like this WTC game. Neutral venue, fabulous stadium, guaranteed weather, excellent training facilities and a travel hub! Oh, and ICC home is next to the stadium," Pietersen wrote in another tweet.

If it was up to me, Dubai would always host a one off match like this WTC game.
Neutral venue, fabulous stadium, guaranteed weather, excellent training facilities and a travel hub!
Oh, and ICC home is next to the stadium.

— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) June 21, 2021

The first two Test matches of the English home summer were also interrupted by rains, as a whole day was washed out in the first one at Lord's, which led to the game being a draw. When a user pointed out that the weather has been bad only this week as previously sun was shining in Southampton, Pietersen replied saying, "The weather isn't predictable at all. A one-off cannot be guaranteed to have the weather this match needs."

Cos this very important game is a wash out. The weather isn’t predictable at all. A one off cannot be guaranteed to have the weather this match needs.

— Kevin Pietersen(@KP24) June 21, 2021

Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag too commented on ICC's scheduling in his own style saying that the timing was poor both from the batsmen and the ICC. 

Batsman ko bhi Timing nahi mili dhang ki, aur ICC ko bhi#WTCFinal

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) June 21, 2021

While the International Cricket Council (ICC) has provided a reserved day, the result still looks like a far reality. If the match ends in a draw, both teams will share the trophy.