The International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly poised to maintain England as the designated host nation for the subsequent three World Test Championship (WTC) finals, scheduled for 2027, 2029, and 2031.
According to a report published by The Telegraph UK, this decision comes despite considerable interest from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host the prestigious event in India.
Since its inauguration in 2019, the WTC has consistently concluded its two-year cycle with a final held in England. Previous venues include Southampton in 2021, The Oval in 2023, and the upcoming 2025 final slated for Lord’s.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has reportedly already been informed of the ICC’s intentions, with formal confirmation anticipated at the ICC Annual Conference in Singapore next month. “English cricket is close to agreeing to host the next three World Test Championship finals despite an attempt from India to stage the showpiece event,” the report stated. Preparations for the 2027 final are expected to commence shortly after the conclusion of the 2025 final, the report added.
South Africa Crowned World Test Champions
A magnificent century by Aiden Markram propelled South Africa to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s on Saturday. This triumph finally brought an end to the Proteas’ decades-long wait for a major global cricket trophy.
The title victory marks their first since 1998, when they secured the inaugural edition of the men’s Champions Trophy, then known as the Knockout Trophy. In 18 previous attempts across one-day international and T20 World Cups, South Africa had only managed to reach a solitary final. That particular final occurred in last year’s T20 World Cup in Barbados, where they succumbed to India, despite needing only 30 runs from their final 30 balls with six wickets still in hand.
