England to Host ICC World Test Championship Finals in 2027, 2029, 2031

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has awarded the England and Wales Cricket Board the hosting rights of the next three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029 and 2031.

The decision was taken at the ICC annual conference in Singapore on 20 July 2025, which was chaired by Jay Shah, Chairman of the ICC.

Two new members, the Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union, joined the ICC and became Associate Members. The total membership of the ICC is now 110.

England hosted all three finals of the World Test Championship.

The first World Test Championship final was held in a biosecure environment in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic between India and New Zealand. The match was held in Southampton and was won by New Zealand.

The second World Test Championship final was held at the Oval in England in 2023. The Australian team won the final, beating India.

The third World Test Championship final was held at Lord’s in England in June 2025, in which South Africa defeated Australia.

Reason for Choosing England as a Host 

The ICC holds the finals of the World Test Championship in June after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Additionally, there is little to no international cricket played during June. The cricket season starts in England in May, and the weather conditions are ideal for cricket matches.

England also demonstrated that it can successfully host a test match in which the host team is not playing. The 2023 final match between India and Australia was a sold-out event, as was the 2025 match between Australia and South Africa. 

Andre Russel retires from International Cricket 

The West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has retired from international cricket after playing his last match, a T20 International against Australia at Sabina Park, Jamaica, on 22 July 2025.

The 37-year-old Jamaican has played only T20 cricket since 2019 and has been a constant fixture in T20 leagues across the world.

Andre Russel is the second West Indian player to retire from international cricket after Nicholas Pooran retired at the age of 29 years in June 2025.

Russell has played one Test, 56 one-day international(ODIs) and 84 T20Is for West Indies. He was part of the T20 World Cup-winning side of 2012 and 2016.

During his career, he scored 2,114 runs with 157 fours and 147 sixes and took 132 wickets.

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