Featured image credit: Lord’s Cricket Ground
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed that Lord’s Cricket Ground will host the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) Final from June 11-15 next year.
Today’s (Tuesday’s) announcement of what’s been dubbed the Ultimate Test means that the ‘Home of Cricket’ will finally stage the fledgling event. COVID-19 saw Lord’s lose the right to stage the inaugural WTC Final. In March 2021, the ICC confirmed that the then Ageas Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket, would stage its inaugural WTC Final. The match, which saw New Zealand defeat India, took place from June 18-23, 2021 in a bio-secure bubble at the Southampton stadium.
In September 2022, the ICC then named the Kia Oval as the new host of the 2023 WTC Final, with Lord’s lined up to host the 2025 edition instead. The announcement was a change of course for the ICC, which earlier stated that Lord’s would stage both the 2023 and 2025 Finals. However, at the time there were reports that Lord’s was having issues meeting the ICC’s ‘clean sites’ requirements due to its pre-existing sponsorship agreements.
The Ultimate Test is the culmination of two years of competition in the World Test Championship, spanning 69 Test matches over 27 series played to decide the finalists. India is currently at the top of the Test standings as per the percentage points that determine qualification, with Australia close behind in second place. If these standings stay the same, the 2025 Final will be a repeat of last year’s match at the Oval, which saw Australia win by 209 runs.
ICC chief executive, Geoff Allardice, said: “The ICC World Test Championship Final has quickly become one of the most anticipated events in the cricketing calendar and we are pleased to announce the dates for the 2025 edition.
“It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Test cricket, which continues to captivate fans around the world. Tickets will be in high demand so I would encourage fans to register their interest now to ensure they are in with a chance of attending the Ultimate Test next year.”
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), owner of Lord’s, last month announced the calendar of England fixtures for the 2025 season, including the historic news that the London ground will host its first ever women’s Test match, between England and India, in 2026.
Guy Lavender, chief executive and secretary of the MCC, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the ICC to host the World Test Championship Final for the first time. Test match days at Lord’s are special and to welcome the two best men’s sides in the world at the time, to battle it out at the Home of Cricket, will be a cricketing experience not to be missed.”
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