![ICC World Test Championship [Source: @ddsportschannel/X.com]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1753089333483_WTC_Final (2).jpg)
ICC World Test Championship [Source: @ddsportschannel/X.com]
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided that England will host the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision was made at the ICC’s Annual General Meeting in Singapore. The main reason given was England’s successful track record of hosting recent finals.
So far, all WTC finals have been held in England. In 2021, New Zealand defeated India in the first final. In 2023, Australia beat India again in the final. Even though England wasn’t playing in either of those finals, the matches still attracted large crowds. The most recent final, where South Africa beat Australia, also saw packed stadiums on most days.
India’s cricket board (BCCI) wanted the WTC final to be hosted in India, but the ICC did not agree. The ICC gave the hosting rights to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) instead.
ECB’s CEO Richard Gould said the decision showed how much cricket fans in England love Test cricket. He also praised fans from around the world for traveling to England to watch the games.
“Being awarded the next three finals was 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,” said Richard Gould.
Weather Conditions Played A Key Role
Another major reason for choosing England could be the weather. According to the ICC’s Future Tours Programme (FTP), the World Test Championship final usually takes place around May or June. This is peak summer in India and other Asian countries, where extremely high temperatures can be hazardous for players.
On the other hand, early June marks the beginning of summer in England, offering cooler and more suitable conditions for Test cricket. This period also comes right after the IPL and during a relatively free window in the international calendar, which could be why the ICC prefers it for staging the final
England Has Better Scheduling And Fan Support
England doesn’t have major cricket leagues like the IPL during May and June, so it’s easier to schedule international matches. Also, even when England is not playing in the final, fans in the country still turn out in big numbers to watch the games. This strong fan support makes it a reliable venue for the ICC.
