WTC 2023 | I think it is scheduled for Lord's: ICC chief Barclay hints Home of Cricket will host final

The final of the 2023 World Test Championship (WTC) final is likely to be played at Lord’s as the ICC is trying to organise the mega event at the iconic venue.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) chief Greg Barclay hinted that the final of the second edition of the World Test Championship is likely to be played at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London next year.

Notably, Lord's was set to host the final of the inaugural edition of the WTC last year between India and New Zealand, but the match had to be shifted to The Ageas Bowl stadium in Southampton due to Covid-19. Southampton was seen as the ideal venue logistically to keep players in a bio-secure bubble because of its on-site hotel.

"I think it is scheduled for Lord's, that was always the intention," ICC chairperson Greg Barclay said on BBC's Test Match Special at tea on the second day of the first Test between England and New Zealand, at Lord's.

"It's June, so that rules out a number of other venues and we've got to get certainty around where it's hosted. We're out of Covid now so subject to arrangements being made and being able to be hosted out of Lord's I think that’s the intention," he added.

England are likely to host a one-off Test against a yet-to-be finalised opponent next summer before then hosting the Ashes. That would seem to increase the chances of Lord’s hosting the world final, an ESPNcricinfo report said.

There is still some work to be done before Lord’s is finalized, however, the ICC are hoping to announce the venue at their Annual General Meeting next month. Kane Williamson-led New Zealand became the inaugural champions of the World Test Championship after beating India by 8 wickets on the sixth day of the rain-hit Test.