ICC World Test Championship - FAQs

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The ICC Test Championship is finally here. To make Test cricket exciting again, the Championship will kick start with The Ashes series between England and Australia. With so many T20 leagues around the globe, something was necessary to keep Test cricket alive. A few days ago, Virat Kohli, the captain of the Number 1 Test side India had said in an interview that it is (Test Championship) happening at the right time for the longest and oldest format of the cricket.

The Championship can not ask for a better start other than The Ashes, one of the biggest rivalries of cricket. Long-time ago, there was an idea of holding 'Test World Cup' but the idea couldn't take its place due to some reasons. However, after a few trials and tribulations, the two-year affair is about to start and the final of the championship is scheduled to play in the UK in 2021.



Here is the schedule of the Championship, how the points will be awarded and some other information -

What is the ICC Test Championship?

The World Test Championship (WTC) comprises the Top Nine Test-playing Nations facing each other in a two-year period. Each country will play six Test series - three at home and three away. There are 27 series altogether during this cycle and a total of 71 Tests to be played. In the end, the top two teams in the points table will face-off in a final to determine the World Test Champion.



Which teams are part of the WTC?

The top nine teams in the ICC Test rankings as of March 31, 2018, have qualified to play the championship. India, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh will be competing for the WTC.

Schedule



The WTC will be played in various countries. Each of the 9 teams will play 6 series, 3 at home and 3 away. Most of the series will fall under ICC's Future Tour Program (FTP).



How will be the points awarded?

Each Test series will carry 120 points, and it doesn't matter if it is a two-match series or a five-match rubber. For example, a two-match series will mean 60 points for a Test, while it comes down to 24 points for a five-match series. A tie will see the teams sharing the points while a draw will be in 3:1 ratio.



Will there be future WTCs or is it a one-off?

The plan is to have two-year cycles. The first one will start on August 1, 2019, and end on March 31, 2021, with the final slated to be played on June 2021. The next Championship is scheduled to start from June 2021 and will end in April 2023.

Will the WTC have any affect on the ICC Test rankings?

The rankings will continue in the same way after each series. The WTCs points system will be independent of the Test rankings.

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