World is not enough: final fizz but questions remain

Lord's prepares for a battle between 'best of the best' in Test cricket but format leaves this clash open to criticism

- Ali Martin

It was the pandemic that forced the first World Test Championship final to be staged at the biosecure Rose Bowl in 2021, then commercial snags that led to it being held at the Oval two years later. But having been intended for both, Lord's finally gets its chance this week, the defending champions Australia taking on South Africa for the right to lift the oversized Chupa Chup that is the ICC Test Championship Mace.

This will probably prompt eyerolls in some territories, even if June ruled out a fair number of them from acting as hosts. Another argument in favour of Lord's is the ground's history and prestige coupled with London's diversity. Despite England not making the final, likewise India and their jet-set supporters, the first four days in St John's Wood are sold out. Where else in the world could guarantee this turnout for a "neutral" final?

We may find out in time, with Jay Shah, the chair of the International Cricket Council, having stated a desire to move the final elsewhere (and almost certainly to India, one can surmise). But for the next five days - six if a reserve day is triggered by weather - it is the self-styled Home of Cricket that serves as the backdrop for what, in theory, is the pinnacle of the sport's most storied format.