Lord’s likely to host World Test Championship final in 2023

LONDON: The home of Cricket Lord’s Cricket Ground is likely to host the ongoing World Test Championship final in 2023.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering Lord’s as the viable option to host the final, as COVID-19 restrictions have ended in the United Kingdom (UK).

Based on the details, cricket’s governing body is likely to make an official announcement at its Annual General Meeting next month.

ICC President Greg Barclay has also hinted at Lord’s as a possible venue to host the World Test Championship final.

“I think it’s scheduled for Lord’s, that was always the intention,” Barclay said during the BBC’s Test Match Special on the second day of the first ongoing test between England and New Zealand.

“It’s June so it rules out a number of other venues and we have to be certain where it’s going to be. We are out of Covid now so we are subject to whatever arrangements are made as to whether we can stay outside of Lord, I think that is the intention,” he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 2021 ICC World Test Championship Final between New Zealand and India has been moved from Lord’s to Southampton following the outbreak of COVID-19 in the region. The Black Caps eventually defeated India by eight wickets to win their first major ICC trophy.

Australia, on the other hand, leads the current Test championship points table, followed by South Africa and India in second and third place respectively.

While Pakistan fell to fifth place following Sri Lanka’s promotion to fourth following their away series victory over Bangladesh.