Test! Neutral locations - can you match the adoptions (Test matches) to the finals (WTC)? Let's see how much you know!
Test Cricket Multi-Team Competitions at Neutral Venues: A Rarity but Not Unheard Of
In the world of Test cricket, the traditional format of the game is usually played at the home team's own venue. However, there have been instances where multi-team Test competitions have taken place at neutral venues. The primary example of this is the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final, a multi-match event culminating in a final that decides the world champion.
The 2023 ICC World Test Championship final, for instance, was held at The Oval, England, serving as a neutral venue between India and Australia. Neither team was the host nation, but England’s ground was the host site for the final match [3].
The concept of Test cricket matches at neutral venues is not new. The first ever Test cricket matches at neutral venues were played in England in 1912, during the first edition of the triangular Test tournament [1]. This tournament, which spanned nine Tests between the three Test-playing teams in a triple-round-robin league, was won by England [2].
However, it's important to note that the 1912 triangular Test tournament did not feature a full-strength Australian and South African team [1]. The First World War ruled out the possibility of an encore of this tournament [1].
More recently, Afghanistan, yet to host a Test match, have also "hosted" Tests at neutral venues. Similarly, Afghanistan has found adopted homes mostly in the UAE [4].
Interestingly, the International Cricket Council (ICC) was founded in 1909, and its first ever Future Tours Programme (FTP) featured a triangular Test tournament [1].
It's worth mentioning that traditional Test series typically take place in the host nation’s own venues, so multi-team Test tournaments with matches at neutral venues are extremely rare or not part of historic formats. Multi-team competitions in neutral venues tend to be limited to limited overs cricket, not Tests [2].
In summary, the ICC World Test Championship final is the primary example of Test cricket multi-team competitions at neutral venues. England notably hosted the final in 2023. Other multi-team competitions in neutral venues are rare in Test cricket, with the World Test Championship finals being the most notable exception [2][3].
References
- ICC History
- ESPN Cricinfo
- ICC World Test Championship Final 2023
- Cricbuzz
Cricket news highlights the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final as a significant instance of multi-team Test competitions taking place at neutral venues, as it was held at The Oval, England. Additionally, the first ever Test cricket matches at neutral venues occurred in 1912 during the first edition of the triangular Test tournament, with England serving as the host nation.
%20to%20the%20finals%20(WTC)%3F%20Let's%20see%20how%20much%20you%20know!){kind=link}