Shaded here by the rising hubbub of European Championship soccer is a cricket final that will be followed by many millions of fans, most of them far from its England stage.

The inaugural world test championship will be decided from Friday between favored India and No. 1-ranked New Zealand in Southampton. There’s been very little local hype, to no surprise.

England’s sporting focus is on Euro 2020, made easier by the dire displays of its national men’s cricket team which was humbled by New Zealand in two tests this month.

Also, the two-year world test championship has been disrupted and disjointed during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, suitably, the two form teams have reached the final, which was moved from Lord’s because Southampton’s Rose Bowl facility has hotel accommodation to guarantee a bio-bubble.

India start as favorite because of the greater options at its disposal, but will go in under prepared. Because India is reeling from COVID-19, Virat Kohli’s squad had to spend 14 days in quarantine in Mumbai, then another 10 in Southampton.