ICC confirms the venue for World Test Championship.

     Written by : SMTV24x7 | Thu, Mar 11, 2021, 11:50 AM

India vs New Zealand World Test Championship final venue in Southampton.

The final of the World Test Championship (WTC) will be played at the Ageas Bowl - or Hampshire Bowl - in Southampton, and not Lord's in London as originally planned, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Wednesday. The final, to be played between table-toppers India and New Zealand, has been moved due to coronavirus safety protocols. "The final of the ICC World Test Championship between India and New Zealand will be staged in a bio-secure bubble at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton," the ICC said in a statement.

"The decision, taken by the ICC Board, follows discussions with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) where a range of options were considered to ensure the inaugural final could be staged safely with the potential impact of COVID-19 minimised for all involved," the statement further read.

Southampton hosted a majority of England's games in 2020, and the ICC said that played a role in the venue being selected for the WTC final. The fact that the stadium has a hotel attached to it was also a key factor.

"In selecting The Hampshire Bowl, the ICC drew on ECB's experience of delivering a full summer of bio-safe international cricket in 2020. The venue provides world-class playing and training facilities, giving both teams the best possible environment in which to prepare. Whilst the on-site accommodation will significantly reduce the risk around COVID-19 transmission and better protect the health and safety of everyone involved in delivering the final," the ICC said.