Latest news with #UltimateTest
Time of India
4 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
ECB pip BCCI; WTC final to stay in England till 2031
South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma holds the winner's trophy and celebrates with teammates after their win in the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's cricket ground in London, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Mumbai: In a blow to the BCCI 's aspirations of holding the 'Ultimate Test,' the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Sunday confirmed that England will host the finals of the next three editions of the World Test Championship in 2027, 2029 and 2031. The ICC made the decision at its Annual Conference in Singapore this weekend. Right since the inaugural edition of World Test Championship in 201921, England have been the sole hosts. Southampton hosted the first WTC final between India and New Zealand in 2021, while India and Australia contested the second WTC final at The Oval in London in 2023. In 2025, the 'Home of Cricket' Lord's Cricket ground hosted the third WTC final, between Australia and South Africa. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals,' the ICC said in a media statement on Sunday. According to reliable sources, the BCCI was highly interested in bringing the event to its shores, but that possibility has been dealt a blow for the next six years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo India camp hit by more injuries, Playing XI TENSION before Manchester Test vs England Boost for Afghanistan women's team In another significant development, the ICC has decided that the Afghanistan's displaced women's cricket team, whose most members are currently residing in Australia, will be involved in some way in the next two women's World Cups—the 2025 ODI World Cup in India and the 2026 T20 World Cup in England next June. The qualification process for the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup is already complete. At the moment, there's no clarity in which way Afghanistan's women's team will be involved. Notably, the initiative to help Afghanistan's women cricketers find their feet again is being led by the BCCI, England & Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Australia—the three most powerful boards in world cricket, with ICC deputy chairman Imran Khwaja supervising it. USA Cricket put on notice The ICC has also given a three-month notice to USA Cricket to set its house in order, failing which the global governing body of the game will take action against it. 'The ICC reiterated its previous position and confirmed that the organisation remains on notice. USA Cricket is required to undertake comprehensive governance reforms, including but not limited to completing free and fair elections within a three-month period,' stated the ICC. In other developments, the Timor Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union have been granted Associate Member status. Three new officials from Associate nations have been elected to the ICC Chief Executives Committee Gurumurthy Palani from France, Anuraag Bhatnagar from Cricket Hong Kong and Gurdeep Klair from Cricket Canada. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The court is in session
The latest episode of the Ultimate Test - the Lions' in-house documentary - has dropped, external and no doubt about the star of this Aki is revelling in his role on the fines committee dishing out the charge sheets and big novelty dice. He even attempts to take down captain Maro Itoje. The Ireland centre also comes off second best to Owen Farrell on the basketball Finn Russell talks goal-kicking and Henry Pollock talks try-scoring.
Int'l Cricket Council
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Australia set for massive boost as West Indies alter plans ICC World Test Championship
Australia look likely to be boosted by the return of star batter Steve Smith for the second ICC World Test Championship contest against the West Indies in Grenada. Smith batted with little discomfort on his injured finger at training in the Caribbean on Tuesday and the 36-year-old is set to return to Australia's XI as they attempt to wrap up the Test series against the West Indies with victory in the second Test that commences at the National Cricket Stadium on Thursday. Steve Smith forced off the field injured | WTC25 Final Australia talisman Steve Smith sustained a nasty blow on Day 3 at Lord's and walked off the field in discomfort. Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey spoke with reporters prior to training and said Smith had done everything expected of him as he tries to return from the injury he picked up during the World Test Championship Final against South Africa last month. '(He's a) class player. Think anytime you add 10,000 runs back into the line-up, you're going to be pretty happy with it. So we'll wait and see,' Carey said of Smith. 'Obviously, he's having a hit out here. He seems pretty confident and he's excited to get back in. But also, it's been tough at the top of the order, so to add I guess a little bit more experience is good for the group, but I think they're doing a pretty good job as well.' Alex Carey's vital 43 for Australia | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final Australia wicket-keeper/batter Alex Carey makes a valuable contribution for his side in the Ultimate Test. With Smith expected to return to his preferred batting position at No.4, it means back-up batter Josh Inglis is likely to make way in what will be Australia's only change to the side that won the opening Test of the series by 159 runs. The West Indies strong bowling line-up managed to cause plenty of problems for Australia during that opening Test, though coach Daren Sammy knows the likely return of Smith to the XI will pose a different proposition for his front-line pacers. "He (Smith) is a quality guy and a quality player," Sammy said. "Australia is still strong (without him) because of the system they have. They keep on producing guys. But we've seen when we add pressure as a bowling group, we did get 20 wickets in the Test and that's the first step towards winning. Steve Smith, if he comes in, poses a different challenge to us." Steve Smith's fighting fifty for Australia | Player Highlights | WTC25 Final On a tricky Day 1 at Lord's, Steve Smith buckled down with a gritty half century. Sammy took plenty of positives from the West Indies' performance in the opening Tet in Barbados, but knows the side needs to improve their efforts in the field if they want to mix it with the Aussies. "I think the biggest thing is we shot ourselves in the foot (during the first Test)," Sammy said. "You cannot drop seven catches against the world's No.1 team and expect to compete. We have a lot of blame to take for the defeat, but there were also some positives…for the first two days, we were (going) head and shoulders against the No.1 team." ICC World Test ChampionshipNewsSteve Smith
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Behind the scenes in Perth
Competition isn't confined to pitch for the British and Irish latest episode of The Ultimate Test - the team's in-house behind-the-scenes documentary, external - features an entertaining basketball duel between Ireland team-mates James Lowe and Bundee Aki and a forwards v backs head tennis look out for the blossoming bromance between props Ellis Genge and Finlay Bealham. Bealham is pushing to turn the pair into podcast co-hosts. Genge still needs some convicing.
Int'l Cricket Council
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Int'l Cricket Council
WTC Final sets new live broadcast and digital records ICC World Test Championship Final, 2025
Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC, reflected that these encouraging numbers were a testament to the continued popularity of the most traditional format of the game. 'The remarkable viewership numbers for the ICC World Test Championship Final, across both broadcast and digital platforms, are a powerful testament to the appeal of high-quality Test cricket and the elevated context of the WTC Final. This format continues to command a loyal and passionate global following and remains an integral part of our sport's identity. 'What makes this success even more special is the enthusiasm shown by fans in regions beyond the two competing nations, reaffirming that cricket's reach is truly international, and that the purest form of the game can thrive beyond national affiliations. 'A special mention to JioStar, whose innovative and immersive coverage, captured the drama, emotion, and atmosphere of the 'Ultimate Test' in a way that deeply resonated with audiences around the world.'
