England captain Ben Stokes accepted the ICC’s penalty after his team maintained a slow over rate in the third Test against India at Lord’s. The ICC deducted two WTC points…
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has emerged as the premier global tournament for Test cricket. It offers structure, competitiveness, and a clear path to determine the best team in the longest format of the game. Introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019, the WTC transformed Test cricket from isolated bilateral series into a unified competition, creating excitement and anticipation for the final showdown.
The World Test Championship (WTC) is a biennial tournament designed to determine the best Test cricket team in the world. The ICC created the concept to bring more relevance to Test cricket and revive interest in the traditional format. The WTC provides a structured framework for multiple series between the top cricketing nations.
The WTC features nine teams: India, Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the West Indies. These teams compete in a series of bilateral Test matches and earn points based on match results. After the league stage, the top two teams on the points table qualify for the WTC final. The final is held at a neutral venue.
Test cricket, once regarded as the purest form of the game, was the most prestigious format. However, in recent years, it has struggled with diminishing interest, particularly compared to the growing popularity of limited-overs formats like One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) cricket.
To rejuvenate Test cricket, the ICC introduced the WTC in 2019. They aimed to increase the format’s significance by giving it a clear goal and structure. By introducing a league system, the ICC hoped to create a sense of competition and anticipation for each series. This would motivate both players and fans to invest in Test cricket.
The WTC uses a simple yet effective format. The nine participating teams play a set of bilateral series scheduled over a two-year period. These series take place across different countries, with teams earning points based on their performance.
Each series in the WTC cycle involves three, four, or five Test matches. Points are awarded as follows:
The points distribution ensures that longer series earn more points than shorter ones. At the end of the two-year cycle, the two teams with the most points qualify for the final. This final is where the top two teams face off for the ICC Test Mace.
The WTC also uses a percentage system for rankings. This system calculates the percentage of points won compared to the total available points. It ensures fairness, allowing teams to play a different number of matches and still be ranked equitably.
The first WTC cycle began in 2019 with a match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. It spanned from 2019 to 2021 and featured all nine Test-playing nations. Intense competition unfolded, with India, Australia, and New Zealand leading the points table for most of the tournament.
The inaugural WTC final took place in June 2021 at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, England. India and New Zealand made it to the final after consistent performances. The match was historic, being the first-ever WTC final, and was played during the global COVID-19 pandemic, which posed scheduling challenges.
In the final, New Zealand defeated India by 8 wickets to claim the title of the first-ever World Test Champions. Kane Williamson and Kyle Jamieson starred for New Zealand. This victory marked New Zealand’s first ICC trophy since their 2000 ICC KnockOut win.
The second WTC cycle began in 2021 and ended in 2023. The cycle was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, causing match postponements and schedule changes. However, despite these challenges, the competition remained fierce.
India, Australia, England, and New Zealand were the major contenders for the top two spots. Eventually, Australia claimed the top position due to consistent performances against teams like India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
The final match took place in 2023, generating immense anticipation. In a thrilling conclusion to the cycle, Australia defeated India to win their maiden WTC title. This victory solidified Australia’s dominance in world cricket.
The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship concluded with South Africa defeating Australia by 5 wickets in a thrilling final at Lord’s, London. This victory marked South Africa’s first major ICC men’s title in 27 years, ending a long drought. Aiden Markram’s match-winning 136 runs in the second innings and Kagiso Rabada’s crucial 9-wicket performance were pivotal in securing the win. South Africa’s historic triumph not only earned them the prestigious Test Mace but also ended the “chokers” tag, solidifying their place in cricket history.
| Cycle | Number of Teams | Final Venue | Winners | Result | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | 9 | Rose Bowl, Southampton | New Zealand | New Zealand won by 8 wickets | India |
| 2021–2023 | 9 | The Oval, London | Australia | Australia won by 209 runs | India |
| 2023–2025 | 9 | Lord’s, London | South Africa | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Australia |
The introduction of the ICC World Test Championship has revitalized Test cricket. Historically, Test cricket lacked commercial appeal compared to limited-overs formats. However, the WTC has brought renewed interest and viewership to Test cricket.
The WTC serves several important purposes:
| Category | Statistic | Player/Team |
|---|---|---|
| Most Runs | 5,796 runs | Joe Root (England) |
| Most Hundreds | 19 centuries | Joe Root (England) |
| Highest Score | 335* (2019–21) | David Warner (Australia) v Pakistan |
| Most Wickets | 219 wickets | Nathan Lyon (Australia) |
| Best Bowling in an Innings | 10/119 (2021–23) | Ajaz Patel (New Zealand) v India |
| Most Dismissals by a Wicketkeeper | 177 dismissals | Alex Carey (Australia) |
| Most Catches by a Fielder | 105 catches | Steve Smith (Australia) |
| Highest Score by a Team | 823/7d | England v Pakistan (2023–25) |
