The International Cricket Council (ICC) has officially announced that England will retain hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship (WTC) finals in 2027, 2029, and 2031. This decision marks a continuation of the tradition, as all previous WTC finals—including the inaugural 2021 final between India and New Zealand, and the 2023 final—were also held in England. The announcement came as part of the ICC’s annual conference, which is currently taking place in Singapore.
The ICC’s decision to continue hosting the WTC finals in England reinforces the country’s status as the spiritual home of Test cricket. With world-class stadiums such as Lord’s and The Oval, and a passionate cricket-loving audience, England provides the perfect setting for cricket’s ultimate format.
Focus on Afghan Women Cricketers
A significant highlight of the meeting was a comprehensive report regarding the future and welfare of displaced Afghan women cricketers. With ongoing political instability in Afghanistan, many female players have been forced to flee the country. The ICC emphasized its commitment to supporting these athletes and is working towards ensuring their participation in international competitions such as the ICC Women’s World Cup and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
This move reflects the ICC’s broader commitment to inclusivity and support for women’s cricket on a global scale. The ICC aims to provide resources and pathways for Afghan women cricketers to train and compete internationally, even if they are living in exile.
USA Cricket Given Reform Deadline
The situation surrounding USA Cricket was also addressed during the annual meeting. The ICC reiterated its prior position, emphasizing that USA Cricket must implement administrative reforms and hold transparent elections within a period of three months. This directive follows ongoing governance concerns within USA Cricket, including issues related to financial management and leadership conflicts.
The ICC’s intervention underlines its zero-tolerance policy on mismanagement and ensures that all member boards operate with integrity, transparency, and good governance practices.
New ICC Associate Members and Expanded Representation
In another important development, two new associate members—East Timor and Zambia—were officially welcomed into the ICC family. Their inclusion brings the total number of ICC member nations to 110, further expanding cricket’s global footprint.
Additionally, new representatives were elected to the ICC Chief Executives Committee (CEC) from associate member nations. These include:
- Umriti Pillai (France)
- Anurag Bhatnagar (Hong Kong, China)
- Gurdeep Clair (Canada)
Their election ensures that associate nations have a stronger voice in the ICC’s strategic decision-making processes. With increasing participation from non-traditional cricketing nations, the ICC aims to grow the sport globally by supporting infrastructure development and increasing opportunities for competition.
ICC Annual Reports Released
The ICC also presented its Annual Group Report and the Auditor’s Report for 2024, providing financial transparency and insights into the global development initiatives undertaken by the organization. These reports serve as critical tools for member nations to evaluate performance and understand the ICC’s vision for the years ahead.
The focus areas highlighted in the reports include:
- Continued investment in women’s cricket
- Enhanced digital engagement strategies
- Development programs for associate members
- Financial sustainability of cricket post-pandemic
A Step Towards Global Cricket Growth
The announcements made during the ICC’s annual conference in Singapore reflect the council’s ongoing commitment to strengthening cricket across all formats and regions. From hosting prestigious events in England to supporting displaced athletes, demanding governance reforms, and expanding membership, the ICC is actively shaping the future of the sport.
The addition of East Timor and Zambia as associate members is particularly symbolic, as it shows cricket’s reach beyond traditional strongholds. Meanwhile, the election of new associate member representatives into decision-making roles highlights the ICC’s efforts to democratize its leadership structure.
The ICC’s decisions at its 2024 annual meeting underscore a comprehensive approach to cricket development—balancing tradition with innovation, and inclusivity with accountability. By awarding England the hosting rights for upcoming WTC finals, offering support to Afghan women cricketers, ensuring reforms in USA Cricket, and expanding the global cricket community, the ICC is paving the way for a more diverse, transparent, and competitive future for the sport.
