The World Test Championship is a new tournament introduced by the ICC that gives greater context to bilateral cricket between nine full members of the governing body. It is contested over two years, with teams playing three series of four or five tests each – and earning points for winning, losing, and drawing. A win earns a team 12 points, a loss is worth six, and ties are awarded four points each (although a match could be washed out or abandoned). A team also loses points for bowling over-rates.
The inaugural cycle was won by New Zealand in 2021 and Australia in 2023, and the final is being held at Lord’s on Wednesday. England was chosen as the host for several reasons, including its rich heritage and historical significance, but also because it offers a summer that is more likely to see sunny weather than most other countries’. That means matches will be more suited for attendance, a vital factor in securing the financial underpinnings of any major sporting event.
The new competition is not without its critics. Some have questioned its structure, with detractors pointing out that the current format places a greater emphasis on wealthier nations such as England and Australia, who often play a series of five or more Tests per tour, while lesser-developed countries frequently play only three. But it’s important to remember that the WTC’s founding principle is not to replace traditional rivalries between two of cricket’s biggest powers, but rather to enhance them by adding depth to a sport that can still capture the imagination of an audience willing to invest in five days of tussling for the ultimate prize.