The ICC World Test Championship is an attempt to bring more context to a sport that is often judged in isolation. And it has had its critics – most prominently India – for a number of reasons.
The tournament is based on a points system, with teams awarded 12 points for a win, six for a tie and zero for a loss, plus a negative point deduction for bowling overs too slowly. The top three teams are ranked, and those with the best record in terms of winning, losing and drawing are declared champions at the end of each season.
Despite some niggling issues, such as the point deductions for slow overs and the exclusion of Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe from the tournament, the concept of a world championship has proved popular with the combatants. South Africa’s victory at Lord’s on Saturday was a fitting finale to a season that saw them top the standings and bury the ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages at Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015 and Kolkata 2024.
The upcoming final will pit the number two team in the world – India – against the reigning champions, South Africa. The ICC’s promotional video featuring the likes of Proteas captain Temba Bavuma, ace pacer Kagiso Rabada and former greats such as Dayle Steyn, Matthew Hayden, Nasser Hussain and Steve Smith will no doubt build anticipation ahead of the battle in London.