Ageas Bowl in Southampton is likely to be soon confirmed as hosts for the inaugural ICC World Test Championship final in the middle of the year. This is due to Covid logistics and need for biosecurity assurances in staging a global final during these troubled and uncertain times.
The venue has hosted six Test Matches. It hosted 5 matches in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. Previously it has hosted the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy semi final.
In 2020 all 18 international fixtures in England were held at Manchester and Southampton due to Covid. These two venues hosted 9 internationals each during this unforeseen international summer. Both had on site hotels where players could stay for the duration of a Test Match or a limited overs series.
This made it easier to create a safer biosecure environment. Players and broadcasters were unable to leave and then renter the premises for the duration of a Test Match or a three match white ball series. ECB head of events in Steve Elworthy in particular, has been praised for successfully creating a diligent and close to faultless biosecurity arrangements for international cricket in England during the pandemic which paved the way for international and franchise cricket to return globally in the months that followed.
With Covid still a major issue globally, but particularly in UK despite the optimism around a vaccine, it seems the cricket authorities may turn to Ageas Bowl to be a saviour once more. However, for an ICC Event this time around as opposed to events organised by the ECB for bilateral cricket in England in 2020.
Currently the four teams fighting for a place in the World Test Championship final are the four teams who reached the 2019 World Cup semi final stage or beyond in England, New Zealand, India and Australia.
The Test Championship was based on nine teams playing an equal number of series (6) to contest the same number of points (720) against an equal number of opponents (6) and playing an equal number of home (3) and away series (3). Points were allocated for Test wins and draws as opposed to series wins and draws. The scoring was based around the ratio of Tests won in a series with the base figure being 120 as it was divisible by 2, 3, 4 and 5 (length of series) and could be halved to an even number if there was a tied Test. Draws were worth a third of a win.
However, due to Covid disruption an alternative points system of points won from points played has been used to determine the standings due to a minor disparity in completed series. Postponing the final may have seemed an obvious solution, but wasn’t feasible when looking at the finer details of the international calendar. Nonetheless, all teams barring Bangladesh are due to complete at least five of their scheduled six series. Therefore, enough of the competition has been played to progress to a final and reach a conclusion, although it is far from ideal for reasons beyond control when it comes to the sporting landscape in the shape of Covid.
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