SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — New Zealand won a brilliant final of the inaugural world test championship by beating India by eight wickets on the sixth day Wednesday at the Rose Bowl.

Captain Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, befitting two of New Zealand's greatest batsmen, combined from 44-2 after the loss of the openers to reach the target of 139 with seven overs remaining.

Taylor hit the winning runs flicking a Mohammed Shami ball over midwicket. He was 47 not out and Williamson was 52 not out.

But, typical of a final which was gripping despite being disrupted by two washed out days and bad light, the finish was tense.

India, 64-2 overnight, was bowled out for 170 in its second innings before tea, leaving New Zealand 139 to win in 53 overs.

India's bowlers created chances and never gave up. Williamson was given out on 1 and overturned the decision on review, and he was dropped on 45. Taylor was dropped on 26, and hit flush on the front of his helmet on 30 but soldiered on.

They absorbed all of India’s pressure to finish off for New Zealand a first International Cricket Council tournament victory in 21 years.

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