The International Cricket Council (ICC) has made a primary decision on the next three Final venues of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), and it is surely not good news for Indian cricket. 

The ICC has awarded England to host the next three ICC WTC Finals, which will be played in 2027, 2029, and 2031. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) successfully hosted the first three WTC Finals. Southampton hosted the inaugural WTC Final in 2021, where New Zealand won the first WTC mace after beating India in the Final.

The Oval hosted the second WTC Final between India and Australia in 2023, and Australia won that mace. Last June, Lord's hosted the third WTC Final (2025), where South Africa faced the defending champions and won the mace for the first time to end their 26-year drought of an ICC trophy.  

See Also: Upcoming ICC tournaments from 2026 to 2031: Check hosts, tournament type, and year

Next 3 ICC WTC Finals: India and other nations once again ignored

As the ECB successfully hosted the first three WTC finals, it is no shocker that the ICC has awarded the next three WTC Finals to them. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was interested in organising any of the next WTC Finals, but it seems far away from the dream.  

The ICC officially stated, "The Board also confirmed the awarding of hosting rights for the ICC World Test Championship Finals for the 2027, 2029, and 2031 editions to the England and Wales Cricket Board, following a successful track record in hosting recent finals."

Lord's has already been planned for the WTC Final 2027. So, the latest ICC meeting has brought the decision of the hosting nation for the ICC WTC Final 2029 and 2031. 

Why has England been preferred for the WTC Finals?

While the WTC Final has generally been played in June, England is one of the best places to host it at this time. Meanwhile, June is a rainy season for most of the Indian states, which makes it tougher for the country to host the big tournament.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially unveiled the host nations for all major men’s global tournaments scheduled between 2026 and 2031. This roadmap includes the ICC Men’s T20 World Cups, ICC Men’s ODI World Cups, the return of the ICC Champions Trophy, and the finals of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). These events will occur across a number of cricketing nations, featuring both established nations and new cricketing nations.

In arguably one of the most significant announcements, England will host each of the three finals of the World Test Championship in this period, in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This highlights England’s historical significance in Test cricket, with plenty of options for hosting at iconic venues such as Lord’s and The Oval.

The global cricket calendar over these six years will see India involved in hosting four major tournaments, the most by any country, highlighting the BCCI’s central role in the sport’s commercial and global growth. Other nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Scotland are also set to play a key role as co-hosts, showcasing the ICC’s intent to promote cricket’s development in new regions.

Full List of ICC Men’s Tournaments from 2026 to 2031

ALSO SEE: [Picture] Sanjana Ganesan shares heartwarming image of Jasprit Bumrah playing with son ahead of ENG vs IND 2025 4th Test

Key Highlights

• England will host all three WTC finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031, a major nod to its legacy in red-ball cricket.
• In 2029, the ICC Champions Trophy will return after a long period of absence, in India.
• This will only be the second time Namibia will host a senior ICC tournament as a co-host, along with South Africa and Zimbabwe, in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
• Ireland and Scotland co-hosting the 2030 T20 World Cup with England will be the first senior men’s ICC tournament hosted in conjunction by these countries.
  
• India will either co-host or host the following four tournaments, confirming its supremacy in the global cricket economy.
  

The distribution of host nations between Full Members and nations on the rise reflects the ICC's dual mandate: expanding the game globally and protecting the rivalries and fan bases that drive the enormous success of world events.

With nine different major ICC events to take place between 2026 and 2031, the world of cricket has an exciting period ahead of it, with plenty of action across the formats. T20 excitement in Australia and India, 50-over contests in southern Africa, or red-ball battles in England are on the horizon, and it's a great time to be a fan of international cricket.

Australia has begun the new cycle for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) in a brilliant fashion, securing a 2-0 series lead over the West Indies, having won the first two tests comfortably. Now, the visitors will be looking for a clean sweep as they prepare for the third and final test. Set to be played at the historical Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica, between July 12 and 16, this match carries added significance: this will be Australia's first-ever pink-ball Test outside of their home country.

Despite being unfamiliar with overseas day-night Tests, Australia goes into the game with the most international experience in pink-ball conditions, having featured in 11 encounters previously. Their success rate under lights, especially with a bowling unit that does so well in seaming conditions, provides them with a decisive advantage going into this historic clash. Meanwhile, The West Indies have been competitive with the ball but still struggled with the bat. Their top-order collapses have made it nearly impossible to mount any serious challenge to Australia’s dominance in the series.

With the momentum clearly in their favor and a 2-0 lead already secured, Australia is expected to make minimal changes to their lineup. However, the major talking point remains the selection call between veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon and seamer Scott Boland. Given the conditions and the pink ball’s tendency to aid seam movement under lights, there’s a strong chance Australia might go with a four-pronged pace attack. Still, Lyon’s form—having claimed nine wickets in two Tests—makes his omission a tricky call.

See Also: WI vs AUS: Probable playing XI for West Indies ahead of 3rd Test at Sabina Park

Australia’s Probable Playing XI for 3rd Test vs West Indies

• Usman Khawaja
  
• Sam Konstas
  
• Cameron Green
  
• Steve Smith
  
• Travis Head
  
• Beau Webster
  
• Alex Carey (wk)
  
• Mitchell Starc
  
• Pat Cummins (c)
  
• Nathan Lyon/Scott Boland
  
• Josh Hazlewood
  

With a 2-0 series lead in hand, Australia is firmly placed to complete a 3-0 whitewash and wrap up their Caribbean tour on a high. For the West Indies, it’s one final opportunity to restore pride and offer resistance on home soil.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has headed back home from England due to a family emergency, just before the beginning of the high-stakes five-Test series against England. According to Revsportz, the emergency is that Gambhir's mother had a heart attack and was placed in the ICU. Gambhir, who had accompanied the team to monitor preparations, was himself participating in training sessions before he headed back to India. His departure came right before an important intra-squad match between India and India A, which was part of the team’s build-up to the series.

The highly awaited tour starts on June 20 at Headingley in Leeds and also kick-starts a new cycle of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The timing is inauspicious for India as the team moves into a transition mode after the retirement of batting legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The coaching fraternity will now have to depend on ad hoc assistance as the team tries to iron out wrinkles before the opener.

The five-Test series will run from June to August, with matches scheduled to be played at top English grounds like Edgbaston, Lord's, The Oval, and Old Trafford. The nascent Indian team, now led by Shubman Gill, has a tough job in English conditions. The leadership void caused by Kohli and Rohit is a big one, which puts even more pressure on emerging stars to deliver the goods.

New Era for Team India in England

This series is the first big task for Shubman Gill as Test captain, and Rishabh Pant is appointed as his deputy. The team has a blend of experienced and young players, with new names such as Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Nitish Reddy included in order to build the new generation of Indian red-ball cricket. The absence of Gambhir in this key transition period may prove to be a setback, though he should return to the side once the home situation recovers.

See Also: Aakash Chopra suggests two-tier system for Test cricket during WTC final 2025

On the opposite side is Ben Stokes' battle-hardened England team that is full of firepower and depth, comprising Joe Root, Ollie Pope, and rising star Shoaib Bashir. With both teams in the midst of a generational transition, this WTC opener is all set to be a thrilling match that may set the tone for the future of Test cricket for both teams.

Now, world cricket is ready for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, where South Africa will face the defending champions Australia at Lord's in London, starting on Wednesday (June 11). Just before the beginning of the Final, a former World Cup winner predicted the favourites. 

It is the third ICC World Test Championship Final. New Zealand won the first Final, Australia won the second Final, and India were runners-up on both occasions. While Australia are ready to defend the ICC WTC mace, South Africa are dreaming of winning their first ICC title after the ICC KnockOut Trophy 1998.  

See Also: 5 major milestones up for grabs in SA vs AUS WTC 2025 Final

Australia will come prepared: Harbhajan Singh on 2025 ICC WTC Final AUS vs SA

Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh, the ICC World T20 2007 and ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 winner, believes that Australia are the little favourites for the Final. 

The former off-spinner said on JioHotstar and Star Sports Network, “Australia will come prepared. They’ve played a lot of cricket in England - Ashes, the last WTC Final - and that experience will count. They understand these conditions better than South Africa. Plus, they’re a champion side. The difference lies in how you handle pressure during big matches, and Aussies are masters at that. That’s why they’ve won more trophies than anyone else."

Australia didn't lose any series in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, while they drew twice and won four others, including drawing the Ashes 2023 in England and winning the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home. 

Harbhajan Singh about Australian captain Pat Cummins

Harbhajan also praised the Australian captain Pat Cummins and pointed out the reason for being a very special captain for the Baggy Greens. 

Harbhajan added, “Cummins is one of those leaders who brings everyone together. More importantly, he's a proven match-winner with great command in the dressing room. When your team respects and rallies behind you, you win more matches. That’s what makes him a very special captain for Australia."

On the other hand, in the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, South Africa suffered only one Test series defeat, against the hosts New Zealand, while winning four Test series and drawing the one remaining home Test series against India. Although South Africa finished the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship as the table toppers based on "percentage of points won out of points contested", they didn't play any Test series against two top Test teams, Australia and England, in this cycle.

Cricket Australia (CA) has revealed the playing XI of the men’s national team for the 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord’s in London, starting on Wednesday (June 11). 

The defending champions Australia are ready to face the first-time finalists South Africa in the third ICC World Test Championship Final, where the Baggy Greens have the chance to become the first team to win the WTC title more than once, which New Zealand and Australia have won once each. 

WTC Final 2025: South Africa announce their playing 11 ahead of AUS vs SA clash

2025 ICC World Test Championship Final (AUS vs SA): Australia Playing XI

Queensland duo Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia in the 2025 WTC Final. Cameron Green returns to Test cricket after more than a year, as he last played a Test match in March 2024, while Australia were travelling to New Zealand. Another all-rounder Beau Webster is also in the playing XI. 

Steve Smith and Travis Head are the other key batters for Australia, along with the wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey. 

Aussie captain Pat Cummins is set to lead the fast bowling line-up along with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, while Nathan Lyon will take the spin bowling role.

Another strong Aussie fast bowler Scott Boland has unfortunately missed out on the 2025 WTC Final squad. Meanwhile, Josh Inglis and youngster Sam Konstas have also been left out of the playing XI. 

Australia XI for 2025 ICC WTC Final vs South Africa: Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (Captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

🚨 WTC final update - Marnus Labuschagne will open for Australia! pic.twitter.com/9DLJoa9GNM

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 10, 2025

Australia in 2023-2025 ICC WTC

In the league stage of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, South Africa finished on top of the points table with 69.44 PCT, and Australia finished in the second position with 67.54 PCT. During the league stage, Australia didn't lose a series, while drawing the Ashes 2023 in England and winning the 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has brought the promo for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final, where the top two table toppers, South Africa and Australia, will face each other from June 11 at Lord's in London.

In the video, Australian and South African players have been captured in the focus-looking ahead of the third ICC World Test Championship Final, while the Championship . It will be the first World Test Championship Final for South Africa, and they are facing the defending champions Australia, who are eyeing their second WTC title. 

WATCH: Angkrish Raghuvanshi refers Shreyas Iyer as 'Sarpanch Saab' in T20 Mumbai League

2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: South Africa eyeing their first ICC trophy after more than 26 years

South Africa men's national cricket team has only one ICC trophy, which is the ICC Champions Trophy 1998 title. They are waiting for about 27 years to win another ICC title, while their closest one in this period was the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2025 runners-up. Now, the 2023-2025 ICC World Championship points table leader have the great chance to end their long and frustrating wait for their second ICC trophy. 

2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship Final: Australia are ready to defend

Meanwhile, Australia won the 2021-2023 ICC World Test Championship Mace after beating India in the Final. It was their first ICC WTC trophy, as they became the first team to win all four ICC trophies. 

Before Australia, New Zealand became the first team to win the ICC WTC title after winning the inaugural ICC WTC Final (2019-2021 edition) by beating India. 

Two teams. One dream 👑

South Africa and Australia are ready to carve their names in Lord’s history 🤩#Cricket #CricketReels #WTC25 pic.twitter.com/FgeID10JXv

— ICC (@ICC) June 9, 2025

During the league stage of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, South Africa earned 100 points after 12 Tests (PCT 69.44%) with eight wins, one draw, and three losses, and the second-placed Australia secured 154 points after 19 Tests (PCT 67.54%) with 13 wins, two draws, and four losses. 

The 30-year-old Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj completed his 100 Test wickets after picking up his only wicket in the fourth innings of the Sydney Test. 

On the third day of the Sydney Test, India set a fourth innings target of 162 runs for the hosts Australia. Although Prasidh Krishna picked up the first three wickets when the hosts were 58 runs, Australia comfortably finished the game with six wickets in hand.

Australian opener Usman Khawaja played a crucial role in guiding Australia to the comfortable chase of 162 runs to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Mohammed Siraj dismissed Khawaja as the left-handed batter was caught behind for 41 off 45 balls. It was the only wicket for Siraj in the innings, which helped him to complete his 100 Test wickets in 36 matches. 

GAME ON! 🔥#MohammedSiraj picks up a timely wicket of #UsmanKhawaja against the run of play! 💪#AUSvINDOnStar 👉 5th Test, Day 3 | LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/Y0HloMzgeH

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) January 5, 2025

Siraj became the 10th Indian pacer and 24th Indian bowler to pick up 100 Test wickets. While he has played all his Test matches under the ICC World Test Championship, the right-arm fast bowler became the second Indian pacer and fourth Indian bowler to record 100 wickets in the tournament history. 

See Also: Virat Kohli Reminds Everyone of the Sandpaper Gate Incident at the Sydney Test

Indian bowlers with 100 wickets in the ICC World Test Championship

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj ended the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with 20 wickets in 10 innings with an average of 31.15 and a strike rate of 47.1. 

Most wickets in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

It was the first time when Siraj picked up 20 wickets in a Test series. 

Mohammed Siraj’s best bowling performances in a Test series

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team's pivotal seamer, is widely considered the world's greatest all-format fast bowler. Across circumstances, spells, and oppositions, Bumrah has produced several match-winning stints, and his consistency has been remarkable.

Bumrah has found the most delight in away matches, and his record in SENA is remarkable, indicating that he possesses an exceptional cricketing talent. Currently, he holds the first spot on the ICC Test Bowlers' Ranking with a colossal 907 rating, making him the India bowler with the highest ICC rating points.

With his recent test wickets count touching an enormous 200, here we look at the top three bowling figures amongst many by Jasprit Bumrah in the red-ball format. 

In the realms of cricket, the test format has always been the one that has a chance to see the real fanatics of the game. The red-ball format does test the spectators' patience to an extent, but even with a single delivery or batting stroke, it has an enormous potential to turn the game's tables.

With the forthcoming third edition of the World Test Championship coming next year, this year's test matches have been about scalping the final two spots for the coveted ICC title. That said, here's a rewind of the best red-ball campaigners in the form of Cricket Winner Test Team of the Year 2024.