The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that the finals of the ICC World Test Championships in 2023 and 2025 will be played at the historic Lord’s cricket ground in London. Southampton’s Ageas Bowl was the site of the first WTC finale, between New Zealand and India in 2021, but it will move to the Home of Cricket from next year.

Originally Lord’s was supposed to host the final of the 2023 World Test Championship, but it was moved to Southampton due to the COVID-19 situation at that time with both teams being able to stay at the on-site hotel while following all protocols.

The final decides the direction of the World Test Championship and involves the two teams who top the league standings at the end of the two-year cycle. South Africa and Australia currently occupy the top two spots in the standings.

Meanwhile, England sits at the seventh spot in the current ICC World Test Championship table though progress is expected until the new regime of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

England To Host The 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup  

This was not the only good news for England in terms of hosting ICC events. It was also decided that the inventors of the game of cricket will, for the first time, host the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2026. It marks the first time that the tournament has been held in the United Kingdom since the inaugural edition was staged in 2009, with England beating New Zealand in the final at Lord’s.

Since then, England hosted the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup which they won by defeating India in the finals at Lord’s.

The ICC has decided to increase the number of teams taking part in the T20 World Cup, with 12 teams set to play 33 matches during the 2026 edition.

“Women’s cricket has developed rapidly since then. from the numbers of girls picking up bats through All Stars and Dynamos, joining clubs, and being able to progress on a pathway to the highest levels of performance. We’re seeing right now the positive impact that the UEFA Women’s Euro is having for football, and hosting this global cricket event will give us another incredible opportunity to inspire even more girls to pick up a bat and ball,” said Clare Connor, the ECB’s interim chief executive.

Also Read: India Set To Host ICC Women’s World Cup In 2025