Category: ICC World Test Championship

The World Test Championship is the International Cricket Council’s flagship tournament, featuring home and away Test series played between nine of ICC’s twelve Full Member nations.

Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe didn’t feature in the inaugural edition, played between 2019 and 2021, and are not part of the ongoing cycle either.

As per the current format, each of the nine teams plays a total of six series (three at home and three away) which feature between two and five Tests each.

Each team gets 12 points for a win, six points for a tie, four points for a draw, and zero points for a loss.

The inaugural edition was held from 1 August 2019 to 23 June 2021, with India and New Zealand qualifying for the final after finishing No. 1 and No. 2 in the standings.

The final, originally scheduled to be played at Lord’s, was held at Rose Bowl in Southampton to ensure the health and safety of all players from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rain washed out two days of the final, but the provision of a reserve sixth day helped decide the outright winner of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship.

New Zealand successfully chased down the target of 139 to beat India and win the ICC World Test Championship Mace.

The second and ongoing edition began on 4 August 2021, with England hosting India for a five-match Test series. The cycle is scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2023.