The International Cricket Council on Wednesday confirmed the venues for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2023 and 2025. The World Test Championship 2023 final will be played at The Oval in June 2023 while the 2025 final will be hosted at Lord’s.
The two venues in London will succeed Southampton, which hosted the inaugural final between New Zealand and India in 2021. New Zealand won the match by eight wickets.
In a press release, the ICC said, "The two venues in London will succeed Southampton, which hosted the inaugural final between New Zealand and India in 2021. New Zealand emerged as the victors in the first edition of the World Test Championship. The Oval will host the final in June 2023, with the top two teams from the World Test Championship standings making the cut. The Oval has previously hosted the finals of the 2004 and the 2017 editions of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy."
ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice was elated to affirm the two iconic venues for the next two editions. He said, "We are delighted to be hosting next year's ICC World Test Championship Final at The Oval which has such a rich legacy and an amazing atmosphere, which is ideal for such an important fixture on the calendar. Following that we will then take the 2025 Final to Lord's which will provide a fitting backdrop to the ultimate Test."
He further added, "Last year's final between New Zealand and India in Southampton was an engrossing encounter and I am sure fans the world over would be looking forward to the next WTC final at The Oval. On behalf of the ICC, I would like to thank the England and Wales Cricket Board, Surrey County Cricket Club, and Marylebone Cricket Club for their support”.
Currently, Australia and South Africa are the top two teams in the points table. After getting an opportunity to host the prestigious ICC World Test Championship final, the CEO of Surrey County Cricket Club, Steve Elworthy stated, "It's a real honour that The Oval has been selected to host the final of the World Test Championship. To have the two best teams in the world playing here in south London will be a fantastic occasion. Next year promises to be a superb summer of cricket at The will be a brilliant part of it."