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The International Cricket Council (ICC) launched the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019 as a way to give bilateral Test series more structure, competition, and relevance. Often considered the most traditional format of cricket, Tests were struggling to attract modern audiences. To reinvigorate the format, the ICC launched a championship that spans two years and culminates in a grand final between the top two teams.
Much like the ICC World Cup in ODI and T20I formats, the WTC is now the premier event for Test cricket, determining the world's best Test team in a league-to-final format.
The WTC cycle lasts for two years, during which the top nine Test-playing nations compete in a league structure. Each team plays six series—three at home and three away—against mutually agreed opponents. There could be anywhere from two to five matches in each series.
Points are awarded as follows:
Win: 12 points
Tie: 6 points
Draw: 4 points
Loss: 0 points
The standings are calculated using a Percentage of Points Won (PCT) system:
PCT=Points Contested/ Points Earned×100
No matter how many games each team plays, this guarantees fairness. Teams can also lose points for slow over-rates.
At the end of the cycle, the top two teams on the PCT table qualify for the final. The winner of this final becomes the official World Test Champion.
The primary goal behind WTC's introduction was to give context and meaning to every Test match, especially beyond iconic rivalries like the Ashes. Before the WTC, most bilateral Test series were standalone, lacking an overarching goal.
The WTC has:
Encouraged teams to compete harder for wins
Boosted fan engagement by making every match count
Created a structured pathway to a recognized global title
Revived interest in Test cricket among younger audiences
Every test match is tighten as teams compete not only for pride but also for vital championship points and a desired spot in the finals. Test cricket has entered a new era of intensity.
As of the ongoing 2023–2025 WTC cycle, here's how the standings look:
| Rank | Team | PCT | Points |
| 1 | South Africa | 63.33% | 76 |
| 2 | Australia | 58.89% | 106 |
| 3 | India | 55.88% | 114 |
| 4 | New Zealand | 48.21% | 81 |
| 5 | Sri Lanka | 45.45% | 60 |
| 6 | England | 43.18% | 114 |
| 7 | Pakistan | 33.33% | 40 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 31.25% | 45 |
| 9 | West Indies | 24.24% | 32 |
Right now, Australia and South Africa are headed to the 2025 final, with India following closely behind. The race remains tight as teams enter the final stretch of their series commitments.
The World Test Championship has given o Test cricket a new dimension in the global, giving more importance to the sport's oldest test format and also competitive edge. Around the cricket world, excitement is growing as South Africa and Australia emerge as the front-runners for the forthcoming final. Cricket fans across the world are now turn their attention to Lord's stadium, where a trilling clash awaits in June 2025—that clash underscoring the lasting significance and honor of Test cricket in today's fast-evolving game.
Q1: How many teams can qualify for the WTC final?
The final is only open to the top two teams in the WTC standings at the end of the cycle.
Q2: Where is the WTC Final in 2025?
The ICC World Test Championship 2025 Final is scheduled to be held at the prestigious Lord's Cricket Ground in London on June 11 to June 15.
