England has been officially confirmed as the host nation for the next three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) Finals, following the conclusion of the ICC Annual Conference held in Singapore. The 2027, 2029, and 2031 WTC Finals will all take place in England, a decision the ICC attributes to the country’s successful history in staging past championship matches.
In its media statement, the ICC highlighted England’s proven ability to deliver high-quality events, referencing previous WTC finals Jeetbuzz that were hosted in the country. The 2021 final, initially scheduled for Lord’s, was moved to Southampton due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Oval was the venue for the 2023 edition, while Lord’s has been selected to host the upcoming 2025 final.
Support Programme for Displaced Afghan Women Cricketers
The ICC also announced a significant initiative aimed at supporting displaced Afghan women cricketers. A collaborative programme, involving the BCCI, ECB, Cricket Australia, and the ICC, will offer structured assistance to players affected by the situation in Afghanistan.
According to the ICC, the initiative will Jeetwin focus on high-performance training, domestic competition opportunities, and participation in key ICC global events. This includes the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Timor-Leste and Zambia Join ICC as Associate Members
In other key developments, the ICC welcomed two new Associate Members into its fold. The Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union have officially been granted Associate Member status, bringing the total number of Associate Members to 110.
This move reflects the ICC’s continued commitment to expanding the global footprint of cricket, especially in developing regions where the sport is growing in popularity.
