Lord’s will most likely host the World Test Championship final in 2023

The World Test Championship (WTC) final will be held at Lord’s in the summer of 2023, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Last summer, Lord’s had been chosen as the site for the first WTC final, but due to Covid-19, the game was moved to the Ageas Bowl in Southampton. At the time, the UK was still working its way out of pandemic-related limitations. Because of its on-site hotel, Southampton, which had played international cricket in the summer of 2020 at the time of the pandemic, was viewed as the best venue logistically to put players in a bio-secure bubble. In the final, New Zealand defeated India to become the first-ever Test world champions.

However, now that restrictions in the UK have been lifted and bio-security bubbles have been removed, the ICC is planning to play 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 I believe that’s the plan, assuming that accommodations can be made and that Lord’s can host us.”

Next summer, England is expected to host a one-off Test against an as-yet-undetermined opponent before hosting the Ashes. That would appear to improve Lord’s prospects of hosting the world final.

Although there is still some work to be done before the venue is announced, the ICC hopes to do so at their Annual General Meeting next month.

Barclay also stated that, while the WTC has restored some relevance to Test cricket, other full members may have to accept that they will play less Test cricket than they would like outside of India, England, and Australia.

When asked where he saw the long format in 10-15 years, Barclay responded, “Men’s Test cricket is something that embodies the game’s history and legacy; it is what makes the game special.”

“We are fortunate that we have other formats that can assist us financially support Test cricket since it is basically loss-making for boards other than one or two series – players will tell you it is the ultimate test of cricket and they want to play it.”

“The Test Championship has given it new life, and I believe Test cricket will continue to play an important role in the next 10-15 years. It’s possible that there will be fewer Test matches. Some countries may have to create room and play less Test cricket – some may have completely distinct long and short form squads – but some of the smaller Full Members may have to accept that they won’t be able to play as much Test cricket as they would want due to resource constraints. So we might see a reduction in that, perhaps four or five Tests each year, whereas England, Australia, and India, I believe, will continue to play Test cricket as they do today.”