ICC Confirms Venue Shift From Lord's To Southampton For WTC Final

The inaugural World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand will be held in a bio-secure bubble in Southampton.

"The ICC (International Cricket Council) World Test Championship final is the pinnacle event in the Test calendar and is intended to be a week-long celebration of the oldest form of the game," said Geoff Allardice, ICC general manager for cricket.

He added: "We are confident that in selecting the Hampshire Bowl, we have given ourselves the best possible chance to successfully deliver the final whilst keeping everyone involved safe and healthy."

New Zealand were the first team to qualify for the final and were joined by India following their series win over England, which concluded on Saturday.

Tom Harrison, chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said of the stadium: "As the world's first fully bio-secure cricket venue, it has shown itself capable of delivering international matches to the highest of standards, even against the backdrop of a global pandemic."