2027 World Test Championship final set for The Oval from June 9 to 13

LONDON: The Oval will host the 2027 World Test Championship final from June 9 to 13, the International Cricket Council announced on Thursday.

England had last year secured the hosting rights for the next three World Test Championship Finals - in 2027, 2029 and 2031 - with home board ECB responsible for selecting the venue for each edition.

All the three WTC finals thus far have also been held in the United Kingdom.

This will be the second time that The Oval will host the WTC final, having previously staged the showpiece in 2023, when Australia defeated India to lift the mace.

With less than a year to go, the current WTC cycle is entering its business end, with nine teams still in the race to secure a place in the final.

Australia (87.50 points percentage), having won seven of their eight Tests, sit comfortably at the top of the standings, followed by defending champions South Africa (75%).

New Zealand (72.22%) remain within striking distance of the Proteas, while Bangladesh (58.33%) have moved firmly into contention after completing a 2-0 sweep of Pakistan in May.

Two-time finalists India are fifth with a points percentage of 48.15% after winning four of their nine Tests, narrowly ahead of Sri Lanka (41.67%).

England (24.36%), West Indies (15%) and Pakistan (8.33%) have significant ground to make up if they are to force their way into the final at the Oval.

The race to the summit clash will soon start to gather pace over July and August, with several crucial series set to shape the standings.

West Indies kick things off by hosting Pakistan in a two-Test series from July 25, with both sides desperate for valuable points.

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