The International Cricket Council (ICC), following its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Singapore, has confirmed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will host the next three editions of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals — in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The ICC cited ECB’s successful track record in staging recent finals as the primary reason for continuing the arrangement.
The decision comes despite opposition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has previously called for a rotation of host venues. The ICC, however, maintained that England’s reliable weather during the summer and proven logistics remain ideal for the marquee event.
In other developments, the ICC announced the inclusion of the Timor-Leste Cricket Federation and the Zambia Cricket Union as associate members, taking the global cricket body’s total membership count to 110.
The ICC also shared an update on the exiled Afghan women’s cricket team, which has received support from the BCCI, ECB, and Cricket Australia following the Taliban’s ban on women’s participation in the sport. The initiative, overseen by ICC Deputy Chair Imran Khwaja, aims to provide high-performance training, domestic playing opportunities, and exposure at global events — including the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India and the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
Meanwhile, the ICC deferred a decision on USA Cricket, which remains under scrutiny due to ongoing administrative issues. The body reiterated that USA Cricket remains on notice and must complete comprehensive governance reforms, including free and fair elections within three months. The situation remains sensitive with cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the USA is set to co-host.
