The final of the second edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is likely to be played at Lord’s in 2023 as the apex body is trying to organise the marquee game at the iconic venue.

Lord’s was slated to host the inaugural WTC final last summer but the game was instead played in Southampton due to COVID-related restrictions.

The Ageas Bowl was seen as the ideal venue logistically to keep players in a bio-secure bubble owing to its on-site hotel. New Zealand had defeated India in the final to emerge as the inaugural world Test champions.

With the restrictions now out of the equation, the ICC are once again hoping to stage the final at Lord’s.

“I think it is scheduled for Lord’s, that was always the intention," ICC chairperson Greg Barclay said on BBC’s Test Match Special at tea on the second day of the first Test between England and New Zealand, at Lord’s.

“It’s June so that rules out a number of other venues and we’ve got to get certainty around where it’s hosted. We’re out of Covid now so subject to arrangements being made and being able to be hosted out of Lord’s I think that’s the intention," he added.

England are expected to play a solitary Test against a yet-to-be finalised opponent next summer before hosting the Ashes. That would seem to increase the chances of Lord’s hosting the 2023 WTC final, an ESPNcricinfo report said.

While some work is still to be done before finalizing Lord’s, the ICC are likely to confirm the venue at their Annual General Meeting next month.

(With IANS inputs)