A detailed guide to the World Test Championship

The idea of inaugurating the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has been in pipeline for almost a decade, with the plans initially proposed way back in 2009 during a meeting between ICC and Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). As for the launch, it was discussed that the 2013 Champions Trophy would be replaced by the WTC. However, the perpetual problems within the board coupled with external troubles eventually forced the officials to postpone the competition to 2017.

After another failed attempt though, it was finally established that the WTC will begin soon after the conclusion of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. And with the tournament kicking off from August 1, here is everything you need to know about the competition.

What exactly is the World Test Championship?

The idea behind the WTCis as simple as it reads. Test cricket, over the years, has lost its relevance in world cricket. Hence, to make it more compelling for the casual audience, ICC decided to launch a point-based championship for the longest format of the game.

To sum it up in a simple text, it is the World Cup of Test cricket spanning over the tenure of two years. Beginning from August 1, the competition will reach its conclusion in June 2021.

Which teams are a part of it?

The top nine Test-playing nations - India, New Zealand, South Africa, England, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh, will take part in this two-year competition.

Though the likes of Afghanistan, Ireland and Zimbabwe have also been awarded the prestige of being Test-playing nations by the ICC, they have not been included in this year’s cycle.

Is Ashes a part of the World Test Championship?

Yes, it is. The first Ashes Test at Edgbaston starting August 1 will be the inaugural match of the WTC.

What’s the format?

All the participating teams will play six series each - three home and three away. However, one needs to note that it won’t be a round-robin format and not every team will face each other over the tenure. As one team can play only six series, the oppositions will be picked mutually.

Furthermore, not every Test match or series will be a part of the Championship. A WTC nation having a series either against Ireland, Afghanistan or Zimbabwe won’t be a part of the competition.

As for the winner, the top two nations who would lead the points tally at the end of the WTC will engage in a battle for the honour on June 2021 at Lord’s.

How does the point system work?

To begin with, a series will consist of either two, three, four or five Tests and the points will be distributed in accordance with that. Overall, there will be 120 points up for grabs.

A detailed bifurcation is as follows:

Another thing to note here is that some teams will play more Tests during the tenure, but given how the aforementioned points system has been designed, only a maximum of 720 points can be obtained.

Initially, a debate was carried on the fact that points should be awarded for an entire series win rather than individual games. But that would increase the number of dead rubbers (which is the case right now). Suppose a team wins two of the three-match series, then there will be nothing to play for in the final Test.

As far as the final is concerned, the top two teams will lock horns for the title. And in case if the final is drawn or tied, the winners won’t be declared on the back of boundaries. Rather, the team which finished on the top of the tally will be declared winners.

Who is playing who and where?

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ian Kington