The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) stands as the premier championship for Test cricket, aligning with the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) vision of having a pinnacle tournament for each cricket format. Here’s an in-depth exploration of the key aspects of the World Test Championship:
What is the World Test Championship?
The ICC World Test Championship, often referred to as the Test World Cup, is a league competition for Test cricket organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Launched in 2019, it aims to infuse context and significance into Test matches by providing a structured competition among the top cricketing nations. The championship operates on a points system, and teams compete in a series of Test matches over a specified period. The ultimate goal is to determine the best Test team in the world.
When Did The ICC World Test Championship Started?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) officially commenced on August 4, 2019, marking the beginning of a new era in Test cricket. This league competition, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC), aimed to bring context and relevance to Test matches, often considered the pinnacle of the sport.
ICC World Test Championship Winners
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has seen two exciting editions, each culminating in a worthy champion. Here’s a brief overview of the winners:
WINNER OF (2019-2021 Edition): The inaugural edition concluded with New Zealand emerging victorious, securing the World Test Championship title by defeating India in the final by eight wickets.
WINNER OF (2021-2023 Edition): Australia claimed the title in the second edition, securing the championship with a win over India [2]. The final, played at The Oval, London, saw Australia’s dominance as they clinched victory, marking their success in the World Test Championship.
ICC World Test Championship Points Table
| Pos | FLAG | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | NR | Points | PCT |
| 1 |  |
Australia | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 56.25 |
| 2 |  |
India | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 54.16 |
| 3 |  |
South Africa | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 |
| 4 |  |
New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 |
| 5 |  |
Bangladesh | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 50.0 |
| 6 |  |
Pakistan | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 36.66 |
| 7 |  |
West Indies | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 16.67 |
| 8 |  |
England | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 15.0 |
| 9 |  |
Sri Lanka | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Records in the ICC World Test Championship
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) has witnessed remarkable performances, setting various records across batting, bowling, fielding, and wicketkeeping. Here is a descriptive overview of some notable records in the World Test Championship:
Highest Team Total: The record for the highest team total in a single innings belongs to India, scoring 759/7 declared against England on February 6, 2021, at Chennai.
Best Bowling Figures in an Innings: Stuart Broad of England holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings, taking 10/67 against West Indies on July 24, 2020, at Manchester.
Most Runs in a Single Edition: Marnus Labuschagne of Australia set the record for the most runs in a single edition, accumulating 1675 runs during the 2019-2021 cycle.
Highest Partnership: The highest partnership record is held by Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley of England, who put together a 359-run stand against Pakistan on August 6, 2020, at Southampton.
Most Wickets in a Single Edition: Pat Cummins of Australia claimed the record for the most wickets in a single edition, taking 70 wickets during the 2019-2021 cycle.
Most Dismissals by a Wicketkeeper: Tim Paine of Australia holds the record for the most dismissals by a wicketkeeper, registering 82 dismissals (71 catches, 11 stumpings) during the 2019-2021 cycle.
Highest Individual Score: David Malan of England recorded the highest individual score in a match, scoring 199 against Australia on December 26, 2021, at Melbourne
Where is it Played?
The World Test Championship (WTC) is played at various venues globally, with matches hosted by different cricket-playing nations, ensuring a fair and diverse representation of conditions. This global approach adds an extra dimension to the competition, challenging teams to perform consistently in different environments. The championship comprises a series of Test matches, and the top two teams in the points table eventually compete in the WTC Final at a designated venue. For the current cycle (2023-2025), the WTC Final in 2023 was hosted at The Oval in June, and the WTC Final in 2025 is scheduled to take place at Lord’s, England. The tournament involves teams playing both home and away series, contributing to their overall standings in the points table.
Key Dates and Events:
Inauguration: The WTC was inaugurated with the vision of providing a structured and competitive format for Test cricket.
First Cycle: The initial cycle of the World Test Championship ran from 2019 to 2021, featuring a series of Test matches between the top cricketing nations of the points table.
2021–2023 Cycle: Following the first cycle, the second edition commenced, featuring a schedule that led to the final played at The Oval, London, from June 7 to 11, 2023, with a reserve day.
Conclusion
The World Test Championship has significantly contributed to the evolution of Test cricket, infusing excitement and context into the traditional format. The tournament’s structure, winners, and records all add to the rich tapestry of cricketing history.
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FAQS- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can Virat Kohli play in the 2027 ODI World Cup?
Ans – Yes, Virat can play 2027 ODI World Cup if he continues his consistent form and score runs on the board. Also, if BCCI agrees with the medical and physical fitness in the game. - What happens if the WTC Final is drawn?
Ans – If the World Test Championship (WTC) Final ends in a draw, both teams will be declared as joint winners of the World Test Championship. There is no tie-breaker scheduled for the WTC Final, and in the event of a draw, the teams will share the championship title - How many teams qualify for the WTC Final?
Ans – The top two teams qualify for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final. - Is the Ashes Series part of the WTC Final?
Ans – Yes, the Ashes series is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle. The WTC started in June 2023 with The Ashes, a five-Test series contested between England and Australia, marking the beginning of the championship - How many ICC trophies has India won so far?
Ans – Indian has won a total of 5 ICC trophies that includes – Two ICC Cricket World Cups, Two ICC Champions Trophies, One ICC T20 World Cup - Will India play World Test Championship?
Ans – Yes, India will play in the World Test Championship (WTC) during the 2023-2025 cycle. The WTC involves a league stage where teams compete in Test series to earn points, and the top two teams will qualify for the WTC Final. - Will Ravindra Jadeja play in the 2027 ODI Worldcup?
Ans – Certainly, Ravindra Jadeja has the potential to participate in the 2027 ODI World Cup, provided he maintains his ongoing stellar performance and consistently contributes to the team’s runs. Additionally, his eligibility will depend on the approval of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), considering both medical and physical fitness requirements for the game.