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The winner of the first-ever ICC Test Championship would be decided at the Home of Cricket, Lord's, where the final has been proposed to take place in.
The concept of a Test Championship was confirmed just earlier this month by the ICC, after putting it in the backburner for a long period of time. Several facets of the competition are still to be devised, including the schedule itself as well as the format, with both a finals series and a 'first past the post' system seen as major possibilities.
The Guardian reported that "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".
"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."
Recently, ICC CEO Dave Richardson had explained the need to revitialize Test cricket with "some meaning to these series beyond the (current ICC) rankings and a trophy" meant the current complement of 10 Test nations would likely be expanded, but split into two divisions – the first division containing the top seven teams, and the second division made up from those countries ranked eighth to 12th.
A promotion and relegation system would be implemented at the end of the expected two-year cycle.
"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 tournament in London.
"We have to create a proper competition structure which provides promotion and relegation and opportunities to get to the top.
"We could probably make it work in 2019 because hopefully whatever we implement will be better than the current arrangement.
"It's the sooner the better as far as we're concerned.
"We might need to have some negotiations with broadcasters who have deals in place, but they might be willing to change.
"This is a marvellous opportunity for the game."
Lord's chosen to host Test Championship final: Report - starsports.com
The concept of a Test Championship was confirmed just earlier this month by the ICC, after putting it in the backburner for a long period of time. Several facets of the competition are still to be devised, including the schedule itself as well as the format, with both a finals series and a 'first past the post' system seen as major possibilities.
The Guardian reported that "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".
"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."
Recently, ICC CEO Dave Richardson had explained the need to revitialize Test cricket with "some meaning to these series beyond the (current ICC) rankings and a trophy" meant the current complement of 10 Test nations would likely be expanded, but split into two divisions – the first division containing the top seven teams, and the second division made up from those countries ranked eighth to 12th.
A promotion and relegation system would be implemented at the end of the expected two-year cycle.
"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 tournament in London.
"We have to create a proper competition structure which provides promotion and relegation and opportunities to get to the top.
"We could probably make it work in 2019 because hopefully whatever we implement will be better than the current arrangement.
"It's the sooner the better as far as we're concerned.
"We might need to have some negotiations with broadcasters who have deals in place, but they might be willing to change.
"This is a marvellous opportunity for the game."
Lord's chosen to host Test Championship final: Report - starsports.com