ICC World Test Champions is a gateway for revival of test cricket. In the recent decade, test cricket saw a massive downfall, which made this format irrelevant for the fans. Only a couple of big test series, and then test cricket becomes just a casual format for cricket fans. But to make test cricket more exciting and thrilling, the ICC announced a tournament to get more respect to test cricket. The tournament is named the World Test Championship. This article will give a proper and detailed overview of the ICC World Test Championship.
What is the ICC World Test Championship?
Before the World Test Championship, test cricket was only played between two countries in bilateral series. But after the arrival and boom of T20 cricket, Test cricket saw a massive decline in viewership. It was because there were no major benefits of the test series except to retain the legacy of the sport.
So, that is why the World Test Championship came into the picture. It was a 2-year cycle where 9 sides will play 6 test series. The top 2 sides after completing this cycle will automatically grab the final spots. The final game will decide which team has won the WTC title.
Why ICC Introduced the Championship
In the early 2000s, ICC found a lack of viewership in the sport. So, to increase the viewership, ICC came up with the idea of a shorter format of 20 overs. T20 cricket gets recognition from all over the world because it is exciting and takes less time. THE ICC T20 World Cup 2007 was the best jump for T20 cricket.
But in this popularity, test cricket was pushed way behind the scenes. Only the Ashes and Border-Gavaskar Trophies were the real joy for the test cricket fans till 2019. Other test series became just a formality. Then the idea of ICC World Test Championship popped into the mind of ICC officials.
How WTC Changed Test Cricket
World Test Championship transformed the way of watching test cricket for fans. Those fans who watched test cricket as just a remnant of the legacy of the sport. Now it becomes way more interesting and exciting for the fans.
The World Test Championship is just like the World Cup for test cricket. So, teams took the test cricket seriously. Every game and series became a war for points to get closer to the top 2 position. That is why it has become a way more interesting format for the fans of test cricket.
ICC World Test Championship Format
ICC World Test Championship is a 2-year cycle where 9 test sides participate. Every side gets 6 test series, and based on the performances, the sides get points. There is no limit on the number of test games in a test series. Just like The Ashes contained 5 test games, the Border-Gavaskar trophy contains 4 test games. While no test except The Ashes contains 5 test games.
Therefore, except India, England and Australia, no side plays more than 3 games in a single test series. So, the points are mostly based on test wins. Check out the table of points the teams get based on the outcomes of their results in a test game.
| Result | Points |
| Win | 12 |
| Tie | 6 |
| Draw | 4 |
| Loss | 0 |
ICC World Test Championship Final
WTC final is played between the table toppers which comes after 2-year cycle. In the recent 3 editions, all the 3 finals have been played in England. And all the finals World Test Championship will also be played in England. This is because when the WTC Cycle completes, and at that time, there is no best place except England hold the final. Check out the finalists and champions of the WTC of recent editions.
| Final | Finalist | Champion | Runners-up | Venue |
| WTC21 | India vs New Zealand | New Zealand | India | Southampton |
| WTC23 | India vs Australia | Australia | India | The Oval |
| WTC25 | Australia vs South Africa | South Africa | Australia | The Lords |
Why ICC World Test Championship Matters
ICC World Test Championship is the best possible way to keep test cricket relevant in the high-paced world of cricket. Every team is trying to build a high-quality test side to win the World Test Championship. And test cricket is not a piece of cake, teams struggle to become WTC champions.
Winners of the WTC finals show the competition between the sides. All the 3 champions are different nations. It shows that test cricket requires the best skills and temperament of the player.
And within the skills, understanding of rules and regulations of test cricket is way more important to become unbeaten in WTC. Check out the rules of test cricket.
Conclusion
Test cricket is a highly competitive and skilled format of cricket. Bowler and batter bring their A game to sustain in test cricket. In World Test Champions, every team needs to carry momentum and a proper combination throughout the whole cycle. Because it is a 2-year cycle, not a 20- or 30-day tournament, it becomes difficult for the sides to be on spot in every test series. But that is the beauty of the World Test Championship.
FAQs
- What is the ICC World Test Championship format?
It is a 2-year ICC tournament where every side gets 6 test series in that span of time. The top-2 of the table gets the tickets to the final of the WTC.
- How are points calculated in WTC?
Points are calculated in WTC on the basis of wins, losses, and draws. Then, the high points sides get, eventually getting the spot in the final.
- How many teams play in the ICC World Test Championship?
Although 12 sides have the ICC test status, the World Test Championship contains 9 sides which compete in a 2-year cycle.
- What happens if the WTC final ends in a draw?
In the World Test Championship, if a game ends in a draw, each team gets 4 points, which adds to their tally of the WTC cycle.
- Why is WTC important?
To maintain the thrill and excitement in test cricket, the World Test Championship is working as a saviour. Therefore, WTC is important for ICC and test cricket fans as well.
