England will stage the next three World Test Championship finals after the successful hosting of the first three showpiece matches, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Sunday.
The most recent final took place last month, when South Africa were crowned champions for the first time after defeating holders Australia at Lord’s.
Nearly 110 000 people went through the gates of the London ground over the course of a Test lasting four days.
‘Successful track record’
India were reportedly keen to host the next final in two years’ time but England have been awarded the finals of the 2027, 2029 and 2031 editions.
One has to wonder what kind of message that sends to the already limited number of Test playing nations.
Test cricket is dying a slow – but steady death – with more and more T20 tournaments around the world.
How this decision to help keep the Test version relevant around the world is puzzling.
At its annual conference in Singapore, the ICC noted England’s “successful track record in hosting recent finals”, even though Ben Stokes’s side are yet to reach the one-off showpiece.
“We are absolutely delighted that England and Wales has been chosen to host the next three ICC World Test Championship finals,” said England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive Richard Gould.
“It’s 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.”
Nine teams contest the WTC and each nation plays six other sides – three home and three away – over the course of a two-year cycle.
Teams are ranked by percentage of points won because they play a different number of matches within those six series.
Does this latest ICC decision sound fair – or help keep Test cricket alive around the world?
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