The World Test Championship (WTC) marks a groundbreaking development in the cricketing world, introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Serving as a league competition for Test cricket, it commenced on August 1, 2019. The WTC assembles the top international cricket teams, engaging them in the longest format of the game over a span of two years.
The primary goal of the WTC is to provide more context to bilateral test cricket and determine the ultimate champion of the test format. Currently, Australia holds the championship, having emerged victorious in 2023. The WTC has injected a fresh level of excitement and competitiveness into Test cricket, elevating its prestige and global viewership.
What is the World Test Championship?
Here are some of the important factors and information about the world test championship are given below:
History and Purpose
The concept of the World Test Championship (WTC) originated in 1996 with Clive Lloyd, the former cricketer and then manager of the West Indies team. Martin Crowe, the former New Zealand captain, further developed this idea. In July 2010, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat proposed a quadrennial tournament, envisioning the top four ranked nations meeting in semi-finals and a final to reignite interest in the longest form of the sport.
The inaugural ICC World Test Championship commenced with the 2019 Ashes series and concluded with New Zealand lifting the trophy after defeating India in the final in June 2021. The second ICC World Test Championship began on August 4, 2021, culminating with Australia claiming the trophy after defeating India in the final in June 2023. The 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, initiated in 2023, is set to conclude with the finals in England in the summer of 2025.
The WTC was designed to maintain the relevance of Test match cricket and move it beyond the isolation of a one-off series. This aligns with the ICC’s goal of having one pinnacle tournament for each of the three formats of international cricket. The WTC has indeed injected a new level of excitement and competitiveness into Test cricket, elevating its prestige and global viewership.
Format and Structure
The WTC spans a league stage played over four years, featuring all ten current Test cricket nations. The inaugural ICC World Test Championship began with the 2019 Ashes series, concluding with New Zealand securing the trophy by defeating India in the final in June 2021.
The second ICC World Test Championship started on August 4, 2021, and concluded with Australia claiming the trophy after defeating India in the final in June 2023. The 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship, initiated in 2023, will culminate with the finals in England in the summer of 2025.
The World Test Championship (WTC) is structured as a league competition for Test cricket, featuring the participation of all ten current Test cricket nations. Let’s delve into its format and structure:
Duration: The tournament spans two years.
Number of Teams: The top nine teams in the ICC Test rankings partake in the championship.
Number of Matches: Each team engages in six series, with three at home and three away. A series comprises two to five Test matches. Each participant plays between 12 and 22 matches.
Points System: Every Test holds a total of 120 points, where a win garners all 120 points, four for a draw, and six for a tie, regardless of the series length. Consequently, a five-test series offers 60 points, and a two-test series offers 24 points. The percentage of accumulated available points determines the standings.
Finals: The top two teams at the end of the two-year cycle compete in a five-day final to determine the overall winner. If the final concludes in a draw or tie, joint winners are declared.
Current Scenario
Currently, Australia holds the championship, having emerged victorious over India in the 2023 final. India has participated in each WTC final, finishing as runners-up in both instances. The league games of WTC are not considered an ICC event, and broadcasting rights belong to the host nation’s cricketing board rather than the ICC.
Australia: With a 2-0 home series victory over South Africa, Australia has secured 75.56% points and virtually guaranteed their spot in the final. The only scenario that could prevent their qualification is if they lose all four Tests in India and Sri Lanka wins both their matches in New Zealand.
India: A home series win against Australia of 3-1 or better would ensure India’s qualification for the final, regardless of other series outcomes. Currently in second place on the table with 58.93% after a 2-0 series triumph in Bangladesh, their percentage would rise to 68.06% with a 4-0 victory against Australia, 62.5% with a 3-1 win, and 56.94% if the series ends 2-2.
South Africa: Despite a 2-0 defeat in Australia affecting their chances, South Africa currently sits fourth with 48.72%. If they win both home Tests against West Indies, they can elevate their percentage to 55.56%.
Sri Lanka: Although Sri Lanka has moved back up to third place on the WTC table with a 1-1 drawn series, they still have work to do to secure a top-two finish. Their current percentage of 53.33 is notably behind that of the current top two teams.
Impact on the Game
The WTC has injected a new level of excitement and competitiveness into Test cricket, offering a structured format for global title contention over a two-year period. This has not only boosted viewership but also heightened the prestige associated with Test cricket.
Match Outcome: Should a WTC Final conclude in a draw or tie, there won’t be an additional tie-breaker to determine the Championship winner. If a draw or tie occurs after the entire Test match is played, both teams will share the trophy.
Impact Players: Players capable of swiftly changing the game’s course are often labeled as ‘impact players.’ For example, Virat Kohli described David Warner as an ‘impact player,’ emphasizing that when Warner hits form, he can quickly turn the game in his team’s favor.
Criticism: Some critics argue that the WTC has had a more detrimental than positive effect on the longest format of the game. Former England Test batter Mark Butcher, for instance, criticized the International Cricket Council’s WTC, contending that it has had a negative impact on Test cricket.
Strategy and Tactics: The WTC has influenced team strategies and tactics. Teams now have to consider not only winning but also how they win, as the points system rewards teams for winning by larger margins.
Increased Interest: The WTC has heightened interest in Test cricket by introducing a competitive structure and a clear goal for teams to aim for – reaching the WTC Final and becoming the world champions of Test cricket.
READ MORE: Bilateral Test Series Trophies in Cricket
What is the Importance of the World Test Championship?
It stands as the premier championship for Test cricket. The WTC, initiated by the ICC, has proven to be a successful endeavor aimed at promoting and celebrating Test cricket, recognized as the ultimate test of skill, character, and endurance for cricketers.
Providing Context to Bilateral Test Cricket
The introduction of the WTC sought to bring context to bilateral Test cricket. Prior to its inception, Test match cricket often existed in isolation with one-off series. With the WTC, every series gains significance as teams vie for the Championship Trophy. This setup offers teams increased incentive to win and imparts more context beyond the outcome of a single series. Additionally, it eliminates dead-rubber matches once the series result is decided.
Structure of the Championship
The World Test Championship consists of nine teams engaging in 71 Test matches across 27 series over two years. Comprising the top nine Test teams globally, each team participates in three home and three away series. The top two teams at the end of this period compete in the ICC World Test Championship Final. The inaugural ICC World Test Championship commenced with the 2019 Ashes series and concluded with New Zealand securing the trophy after defeating India in the final in June 2021.
Impact on Fans and Players
The WTC has cultivated a new fan base for Test cricket, with enthusiasts avidly following each match and series with anticipation and passion. The pursuit of the ultimate prize in Test cricket intensifies as teams vie for the top two spots in the Final, infusing the sport with a heightened level of excitement and competitiveness.
Ending Lines
The World Test Championship signifies a significant evolution in the realm of Test cricket. It provides a platform for the world’s best teams to engage in fierce competition in the most challenging format of the game, introducing renewed fans and interest to Test cricket.
As the curtain falls on the World Test Championship, we are left with indelible moments, exhilarating matches, and a revived appreciation for the longest format of the game. The Championship has not only reshaped Test cricket but has also reignited the essence of sportsmanship and competition. Anticipating the next cycle, we honor the champions, applaud the contenders, and cherish the sport that unites us all. For more future updates stay tuned with our website T20cricketworldcup.info.
FAQs for What is the World Test Championship
How Does the Points System Differ in the WTC?
In the WTC, each match holds the same number of points. A team earns 12 points for winning a match, four for a draw, and six for a tie.
Why was the Points System Changed?
The change aimed to simplify the points system by assigning the same number of points for a Test win, irrespective of the series length.
How do Teams Qualify for the WTC?
Teams qualify based on a percentage of points won to standardize the imbalance in the number of matches played by teams.
What Happens if a WTC Final Ends in a Draw or Tie?
In case a WTC Final concludes in a draw or tie, both teams will share the trophy.
Can Test Matches be Played Outside of the WTC?
Yes, Test matches can be played outside of the championship. This includes tests featuring teams not in the WTC, as well as series played between teams featured in the championship but not identified as part of the WTC.