England will stage the next three World Test Championship finals, the climax of the two-year red-ball cycle.
The events will be held in 2027, 2029 and 2031, probably, but not definitely, at Lord’s.
The first three showpieces have been held in England, most recently last month with Lord’s the venue as South Africa were crowned champions for the first time by defeating holders Australia.
Nearly 110,000 people went through the gates over the course of a Test that lasted four days.
That is likely to have influenced the decision by the International Cricket Council (ICC) despite India, hugely powerful in world cricket, reportedly keen to stage the next edition.
At its annual conference in Singapore, the ICC noted England’s “successful track record in hosting recent finals”.
The first WTC final, in which New Zealand beat India, was held at Southampton in 2021 due to Covid-19 protocols (there is a hotel on site). The second in 2023, in which Australia beat India, was at The Oval.
England are yet to reach the final themselves.
England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould said: “We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship finals.
“It’s a testament to the passion that fans in this country have for this treasured format of the game and the willingness of supporters from around the world to travel here for these games.”
Also on the agenda was an update on the support for the displaced women’s cricketers of Afghanistan. Many were forced into exile, mostly in Australia, when the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and effectively outlawed female sport.
Amid increasing political pressure for the global game to act, the ICC formed a task force in April also involving the ECB, Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket Australia.
The ICC confirmed the programme “aims to deliver structured support through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at key ICC global events”.
It is understood Afghanistan women’s cricketers could attend this year’s 50-over World Cup in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England and engage with the teams there, although details are still to be ironed out.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/cricket/world-test-championship-finals-stay-in-england-to-2031-c-19419355
