New Delhi: With the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirming Test Championship, England's historic Lord's ground has emerged as the likely venue for the title decider.
According to a report in The Guardian, the Mecca of Cricket serves as a preferred option because of a far greater following for Test cricket in England, unlike in most other countries where stadiums have run empty for many years.
"There is a growing desire that the competition has a marquee Test final in 2021, with Lord's considered the natural host venue given its history and enduring attraction for all international touring sides," The Guardian's Ali Martin reports.
"In addition to this, it is believed that the ground's ability to tap into London's cosmopolitan population, should England not be one of the two teams competing, increases the prospect of the final being a sell-out, something deemed essential if the World Test Championship is to be a success," the report added.
Earlier this month, ICC chief executive David Richardson stated that the tournament could start in 2019. But, contrasting reports suggested that the much-needed tournament to revive Test cricket could take place as early as next year.
"If we really want Test cricket to survive, we can't have the number of Test teams diminishing," Richardson said on June 1 at the launch of the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy ODI tournament in London.
"We have to create a proper competition structure which provides promotion and relegation and opportunities to get to the top," he added.
However, the many aspects of the proposed tournament still need detailed planning, including scheduling and format.
One of the key proposals was to follow a promotion and relegation system with a two-tier structure, divided into seven and five teams respectively.
The proposal for Test championship was introduced in 2009, but it's yet to be realised. It was finally postponed to 2013, then to 2017 — both times getting replaced by ICC Champions Trophy.
The future of the proposed tournament is likely to be discussed in detail at the ICC governing body's annual conference in Edinburgh on June 27.
