Has ICC Awarded England Hosting Rights for WTC Finals Until 2031?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The ICC's Annual Conference in Singapore has confirmed that England will host the World Test Championship Finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision highlights England's successful history in hosting cricket events, while also addressing crucial initiatives for displaced women cricketers and governance reforms for USA Cricket.
Key Takeaways
- England to host ICC World Test Championship Finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031.
- Support initiatives for Afghan women cricketers are underway.
- USA Cricket must complete governance reforms.
- New members Timor-Leste and Zambia join ICC.
- Annual report for 2024 adopted.
New Delhi, July 20 (NationPress) The International Cricket Council (ICC) convened its Annual Conference in Singapore, where the Board officially granted the England and Wales Cricket Board the hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031, recognizing their exemplary history of hosting recent finals successfully.
Additionally, the ICC received updates on the initiative aimed at supporting displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent. This project is being propelled by a cooperative effort involving the ICC, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), ECB, and Cricket Australia (CA), under the guidance of ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja.
The program is designed to provide structured assistance through high-performance initiatives, domestic playing opportunities, and engagement at significant ICC global events, such as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England.
Regarding USA Cricket, the ICC reiterated its prior stance and confirmed that the organization remains under scrutiny. USA Cricket is expected to implement comprehensive governance reforms, including completing fair elections within a three-month timeframe.
The meeting also witnessed the election of Gurumurthy Palani (France Cricket), Anuraag Bhatnagar (Cricket Hong Kong, China), and Gurdeep Klair (Cricket Canada) to the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) as representatives of Associate Members. A formal vote of thanks was extended to outgoing ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice and departing CEC members Sumod Damodar (Botswana Cricket Association), Rashpal Bajwa (Cricket Canada), and Umair Butt (Cricket Denmark) for their contributions to the global cricket community.
Two new members joined the ICC family, raising total membership to 110, with the Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and Zambia Cricket Union officially becoming ICC Associate members.
Furthermore, the ICC AGM officially adopted the annual report and audited accounts of the ICC Group for 2024, along with the auditor’s report.
Point of View
The ICC's decision to award England the hosting rights for the World Test Championship Finals underscores the country's established reputation in organizing high-profile cricket events. It reflects a commitment to fostering cricket globally and supporting initiatives for underrepresented communities, ensuring the sport remains inclusive and progressive.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hosting rights awarded to England?
England has been awarded the hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the years 2027, 2029, and 2031.
What initiatives is the ICC supporting for Afghan women cricketers?
The ICC is advancing initiatives to provide structured support for displaced women cricketers of Afghan descent through high-performance programs and engagement at significant global events.
What governance reforms are required for USA Cricket?
USA Cricket is required to implement comprehensive governance reforms, including conducting free and fair elections within three months.
