ICC WTC 2023
The final of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) is expected to be held at Lord’s, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) attempting to organize the big event at the renowned venue. Last summer, Lord’s was initially designated as the location for the first WTC final, but owing to the Covid-19, the game was ultimately played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. At the time, England was still working its way out of the limits imposed by the pandemic.
Because of its on-site hotel, Southampton was viewed as the best destination logistically to put players in a bio-secure bubble. In the final, Kane Williamson’s New Zealand defeated Virat Kohli’s India to become the first Test world champions.
However, now that the limits in the UK have been lifted and bio-security bubbles have been removed, the ICC is aiming to hold the final at Lord’s once more.
At tea on the second day of the first Test between England and New Zealand at Lord’s, ICC chairperson Greg Barclay said on BBC’s Test Match Special, “I believe it is scheduled for Lord’s, that was always the goal.”
“Because it’s June, a number of other locations are out, and we need to know for sure where it’ll be held. We’re out of Covid now, so assuming we can make arrangements and be hosted out of Lord’s, I believe that’s the plan “He went on to say.
Next summer, England is expected to host a one-off Test against an as-yet-undetermined opponent before hosting the Ashes. According to ESPNcricinfo, this appears to boost the likelihood of Lord’s hosting the global final.
The ICC hopes to announce the location at their Annual General Meeting next month, but there is still some work to be done before Lord’s is finalised.