England to host next three World Test Championship finals
Nearly 110,000 people went through the gates of the London ground over the course of a Test lasting four days.
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.
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.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
France 24
24 minutes ago
- France 24
Teenage super-sub Agyemang emerges as England's star at Euro 2025
Twice the Lionesses have been on the brink of elimination from the tournament in Switzerland only to be rescued by the 19-year-old Arsenal striker. A ragged England trailed 2-0 in the quarter-final against Sweden in Zurich when coach Sarina Wiegman sent on Agyemang with 20 minutes left. As the momentum started to swing their way, Lucy Bronze pulled a goal back before Agyemang equalised to force extra time, and England then triumphed in a remarkable penalty shoot-out. The scenario in Geneva on Tuesday was even more dramatic, with Agyemang introduced in the 85th minute as her team trailed 1-0 against Italy in the semi-final –- she fired in the equaliser in the sixth minute of injury time and England went on to win 2-1 in extra time. "It's crazy, you know, to do that two games in a row now in that kind of fashion," an elated Agyemang said. "It shows the character of this team and I'm so grateful that we're still here to see another week." The semi-final was heading to penalties until a late burst triggered by Agyemang hitting the bar with a brilliant lob –- moments later England won a spot-kick, and Chloe Kelly then scored after her initial effort was saved, sending her team through. "Mich came onto the pitch and made something happen for the team, got us back into the game, and built up so much momentum for us," said Kelly. "That moment when she hit the crossbar, I think that gave us a new lease of energy. She was unbelievable and she gave us a lot of confidence." England await Germany or Spain in Sunday's final in Basel as they look to retain the title they won three years ago at Wembley, when Agyemang had not yet made her senior Arsenal debut. Wembley ball girl A few months before the last Euros, Agyemang was a ball girl at Wembley as England beat Northern Ireland in one of Sarina Wiegman's first games as coach. Agyemang's bow for the Gunners came aged 16 in November 2022, and she made her senior England debut in April this year. She did so in style, scoring 41 seconds after coming on against Belgium with a brilliant volley, proving to Wiegman her ability to make an impact from the bench. "I said with the squad announcement already that she brings something special," Wiegman said. "She is only 19, but she is very mature, she knows exactly what she has to do. If she continues like this she has a very bright future." Agyemang has been loaned out by Arsenal, following a spell at second-tier Watford in 2023/24 by impressing at Brighton in the Women's Super League last season. She is the youngest player in Wiegman's squad in Switzerland, but came on in the defeat by France in their opening group game and has now earned a reputation as a super-sub. "It's been a crazy season for me being on loan and then getting the call-up at such a late time in the season. But, you know, everything happens for a reason," said Agyemang, who was in Lisbon to watch her parent club win the Women's Champions League in May. "It's easy to come here and not really be connected to a team because of the short amount of time, but they have really taken me in and I'm so grateful." There may now be some clamour for Agyemang –- who as a child idolised Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud –- to play a more prominent role in the final. However, Wiegman appears likely to keep her young star on the bench, ready to emerge if England find themselves chasing the game again. "She is very grateful to get minutes. Her growth and development went so quickly, from not starting at Brighton to getting lots more minutes and showing how good she is and coming into our team," the coach said. "I think she feels very good about that." © 2025 AFP
France 24
2 hours ago
- France 24
England bowl in fourth Test as India pick Bumrah
England captain Ben Stokes, whose side are 2-1 up in the five-Test series, chose to field on an overcast morning, ignoring the lessons of history. No team winning the toss and bowling first has ever won a Test at the Manchester ground. Before the series started it was announced that Bumrah, the world's top-ranked Test bowler, would only play in three of the five games to protect his fitness following a back injury. But with India 2-1 down following a dramatic 22-run defeat at Lord's, a game in which fast bowler Bumrah played, he was included in the tourists' team at Old Trafford. India made three changes, with batsman Sai Sudharsan replacing Karun Nair, and Shardul Thakur and debutant Anshul Kamboj coming in for injured pacemen Nitish Kumar Reddy and Akash Deep. Rishabh Pant was passed fit to keep wicket after suffering a finger injury. England had already named their side, making just one change as they recalled Liam Dawson for the left-arm spinner's first Test in eight years after Shoaib Bashir suffered a series-ending finger injury at Lord's. "There's pretty decent overhead conditions for bowling so that's what we're going to do," said Stokes. "I think everyone left everything on the outfield at Lord's on the last day. The effort has been outstanding from both teams. It improves the quality of both sides." India have yet to win a Test at Old Trafford following four defeats and five draws in nine previous matches. "I was a bit confused (about what to do). The surface looks good, so a good toss to lose," said India captain Shubman Gill. "I think we have been playing well in the last few matches. The small moments we have lost but apart from that, a number of sessions we have won more than them which is a positive for us." Teams England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt), Jamie Smith (wkt), Liam Dawson, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (capt), Rishabh Pant (wkt), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Anshul Kamboj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj Umpires: Ahsan Raza (PAK), Rod Tucker (AUS) © 2025 AFP
France 24
6 hours ago
- France 24
Valentin Paret-Peintre claims first French victory of Tour at Mont Ventoux
England is back in the final! On the verge of exit, reigning champions England came back to defeat Italy 2–1 in extra time in the Women's Euro semi-finals. They will defend their title against the winners of Wednesday's semi-final tie between Germany and Spain. Real Madrid have a new number 10. Kylian Mbappé will wear the iconic number 10 jersey next season, after wearing number 9 during his first year in Madrid. Sporting striker Viktor Gyökeres, one of the most sought-after players in the transfer market after scoring 54 goals last season, is close to joining Arsenal.
