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ICC World Test Championship

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"World Test Championship" redirects here. For the ranking system formerly known as ICC Test Championship, seeICC Men's Test Team Rankings.

ICC World Test Championship
AdministratorInternational Cricket Council
FormatTest cricket
First edition2019–2021
Latest edition2023–2025
Next edition2025–2027
Tournament formatLeague and Final
Number of teams9
Current championAustralia
(1st title)
Most successfulNew Zealand
Australia
(1 title each)
Most runsEnglandJoe Root(4,375)
Most wicketsAustraliaNathan Lyon(187)
2023–2025
Tournaments

TheICC World Test Championship,also referred to as theTest World Cup,is theinternational championshipofTest cricket.It is a league competition run by theInternational Cricket Council(ICC), with its inaugural season starting in2019.[1][2]In line with the ICC's goal of having one pinnacle tournament for each of the three formats of international cricket, it is the premier championship for Test cricket.[3]Australiaare the current champions, having defeatedIndiain the2023 final.Indiahave played in each WTC final, finishing runners up in both.

WTC league games are not considered ICC events and the broadcasting rights are held by the host nation's cricketing board, not the ICC. WTC finalsareICC events. Theinaugural ICC World Test Championshipstarted with the2019 Ashes seriesand finished withNew Zealandlifting the trophy after defeatingIndiainthe finalin June 2021. Thesecond ICC World Test Championshipstarted on 4 August 2021 with thePataudi Trophy series[4]and finished withAustralialifting the trophy after defeatingIndiainthe finalin June 2023. The2023-2025 ICC World Test Championshipstarted in 2023 and will conclude with the finals inEnglandin the summer of 2025.

History[edit]

This championship was first proposed in 1996 byClive Lloyd,former cricketer and then manager of theWest Indies team.[5]Later, in 2009, when the ICC met theMCCto discuss a proposed Test match championship. Former New Zealand captainMartin Crowewas one of the main brains behind this proposal.[6]

In July 2010 ICC chief executiveHaroon Lorgatsuggested a quadrennial tournament with the four best-ranked nations meeting in the semi-finals and a final, in a bid to boost flagging interest in the longest form of the sport. The first tournament was meant to replace the2013 ICC Champions Trophyin England and Wales.[7][8]

The idea of a Test championship was considered by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee at a meeting at their headquarters inDubaiin mid-September 2010. ICC spokesperson Colin Gibson said that much more would be revealed after the meeting, and that if the championship was held in England, then the favoured final venue would beLord's.[9]As expected, the ICC approved the plan and said that the first tournament would be held inEnglandandWalesin 2013. The format of the tournament was also announced. It would comprise an inaugural league stage, played over a period of four years, with all ten currentTest cricketnations (Australia,India,England,South Africa,Pakistan,Sri Lanka,New Zealand,West Indies,Zimbabwe,andBangladesh) participating. After the league stage the top four teams will take part in the play-offs, with the final determining the Test cricket champions.[10]

There was a debate as to whether the play-off would take place between the top eight teams or the top four teams, but the latter was unanimously chosen by the board. It was also announced that the tournament would replace theICC Champions Trophy.[10]No decision had been made concerning how to decide the outcome of drawn matches in the knock-out stages.

However, in 2011, the ICC announced that the Test Championship would not take place until 2017, and that the 2013 tournament would be cancelled because of financial problems within the board, and its commitment to its sponsors and broadcasters. England and Wales, the original hosts of this cancelled tournament, were awarded the2013 ICC Champions Trophyinstead, the tournament that the Test Championship was intended to replace.[11]This drew widespread criticism; bothGreg ChappellandGraeme Smithcriticised the ICC, saying that postponing the Test Championship was wrong and unjustified.[12][13]The Guardianreported that this postponement was a blow to Lord's, which had been expected to host the final.[14]

At the ICC Chief Executives' meeting in April 2012, it was confirmed that theICC Champions Trophywould be last held in 2013 with the inaugural Test Championship play-offs being scheduled for June 2017.[15]The ICC said that there would be only one trophy for each format of the game, which meant that the Champions Trophy would no longer take place since theCricket World Cupis the premier event for 50-over cricket.

The final would possibly have followed the historicaltimeless testformat.[16]Further improvements in the structure of the championship have also been discussed.

However, in January 2014, the 2017 ICC World Test Championship was cancelled and the2017 ICC Champions Trophywas reinstated.[17]

In October 2017, the ICC announced that a Test league had been agreed upon by its members, which would involve the top nine teams playing series over two years with the top two teams qualifying for a World Test League Championship Final, which will be considered as an ICC event.[18]

Tournament summary[edit]

2019–21 tournament[edit]

Main article:2019–2021 ICC World Test Championship

The first tournament began with the2019 Ashes series.In March 2020, matches were suspended due to theCOVID-19 pandemic,not resuming before July 2020, with several rounds of matches being postponed or ultimately cancelled. New Zealand became the first team to qualify for the final, when it was confirmed that the series between South Africa and Australia would not proceed,[19]followed by India. The inauguralWorld Test Championship Finalwas played between India and New Zealand from 18 to 23 June 2021 at Rose Bowl, Southampton, England.[20]Despite the opening and fourth day of the final being washed out by rain,[21]New Zealand managed to win in the final session of the reserve day and lifted the first World Test Championship trophy.[22]

2021–23 tournament[edit]

Main article:2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship

The WTC 2021–23 cycle began in August 2021 withPataudi Trophy(5 matches series between India and England).[23]TheInternational Cricket Councilofficially announced the full programme with a new points system.[24]Australia qualified forthe finalby winning the 3rd Test Match of the2022–23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.[25]India qualified after Sri Lanka failed to win the first match oftheir series in New Zealand,[26]qualifying for the final for the second consecutive time. The final was played from 7 June to 11 June 2023 atThe Oval,London,England, with Australia emerging as champions after defeating India by 209 runs.[27]This was India's second consecutive defeat at the WTC final.

2023–25 tournament[edit]

Main article:2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship

The WTC 2023–25 cycle began with the 1stAshesTest on 16 June 2023.[23]TheInternational Cricket Councilofficially announced that the WTC final will be played atLord'sin the summer of 2025.[28]

Results[edit]

Year Final host(s) Final Reference(s) Winning Captain
Venue Winners Result Runners-up Player of the match
2019–2021 EnglandEngland Rose Bowl,
Southampton 		New Zealand

249 & 140/2

New Zealand won by 8 wickets
Scorecard 		India

217 & 170

New ZealandKyle Jamieson [29][30][31] New ZealandKane Williamson
2021–2023 EnglandEngland The Oval,
London 		Australia

469 & 270/8d

Australia won by 209 runs
Scorecard 		India

296 & 234

AustraliaTravis Head [32][33][34] AustraliaPat Cummins
2023–2025 EnglandEngland Lord's,
London

Team performances[edit]

An overview of all the Test playing nations' performances:

Tournament

Team
 2019
–2021 		2021
–2023 		2023
–2025 		Apps.
Australia 3rd W Q 3
Bangladesh 9th 9th Q 3
England 4th 4th Q 3
India RU RU Q 3
New Zealand W 6th Q 3
Pakistan 6th 7th Q 3
South Africa 5th 3rd Q 3
Sri Lanka 7th 5th Q 3
West Indies 8th 8th Q 3

Key:

W Winner
RU Runners-up
3rd 3rd Place
Q Qualified, Still in contention
— Did not play

Tournament records[edit]

Main article:List of World Test Championship records
World Test Championship Records[35]
Batting
Mostruns EnglandJoe Root 4,375[36]
Mosthundreds 13[37]
Most runs in a single tournament 1,915 (2021-2023)
Most hundreds in a single tournament 8 (2021–23)
Highestaverage(min 50 innings) PakistanBabar Azam 55.43[38]
Highest score AustraliaDavid WarnervPakistanPakistan 335*(2019–21)[39]
Bowling
Mostwickets AustraliaNathan Lyon 187[40]
Most wickets in a single tournament 83 (2021–23)
Bestaverage(min 1000 balls) Cricket West IndiesKyle Mayers 17.47[41]
Best bowling in aninnings New ZealandAjaz PatelvIndiaIndia 10/119 (2021–23)
Best bowling in a match 14/225 (2021–23)[42]
Fielding
Most dismissals by a wicket-keeper AustraliaAlex Carey 133[43]
Most dismissals in a single tournament 68 (2021–23)
Most catches by a fielder AustraliaSteve Smith 87[44]
Team
Highest score New ZealandNew ZealandvPakistanPakistan 659/6d (2019–21)[45]
Lowest score IndiaIndiavAustraliaAustralia 36 (2019–21)[46]
As of 12 July 2024

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^"Schedule for inaugural World Test Championship announced".International Cricket Council.
  2. ^Ramsey, Andrew (20 June 2018)."Aussies to host Afghans as part of new schedule".cricket.au.
  3. ^"Test Championship to replace Champions Trophy".Cricinfo.29 June 2013.
  4. ^"England vs India to kick off the second World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved29 June2021.
  5. ^"Official World Test championship gains momentum".The Indian Express.Reuters.20 November 1996. Archived fromthe originalon 24 April 1997.Retrieved22 August2023.
  6. ^ ICC calls meeting with MCC to discuss proposed World Test Championship,The Telegraph.Retrieved 4 January 2012
  7. ^"ICC news: Lorgat hints at Test championship in 2013 | Cricket News | Cricinfo ICC Site".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved15 August2011.
  8. ^"ICC news: ICC could use 'timeless' Test for World Championship final | Cricket News | Cricinfo ICC Site".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved15 August2011.
  9. ^ ICC to hold World Test Cup in 2013?,The Times of India.Retrieved 4 January 2012
  10. ^abICC approves Test championship,ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2012
  11. ^World Test Championship to be Postponed; Financial Considerations to BlameArchived6 December 2011 at theWayback Machine,Crickblog. Retrieved 4 January 2012
  12. ^ Test Championship postponement a 'shame' – Greg ChappellESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2012
  13. ^ Ken Borland,ICC too slow on test championship says Smith,Stuff.co.nz,17 November 2011. Retrieved 4 January 2012
  14. ^Lord's suffers Test Championship blow as ICC scraps mandatory DRS rule,The Guardian,11 October 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2012
  15. ^No Champions Trophy after 2013,Cricinfo. Retrieved 17 April 2012
  16. ^"ICC could revive 'timeless' Test match for world championship".The Guardian.Press Association. 18 July 2011.Retrieved1 July2020.
  17. ^"Cricket".1 NEWS NOW.
  18. ^Brettig, Daniel (13 October 2017)."Test, ODI leagues approved by ICC Board".Cricinfo.Retrieved30 July2019.
  19. ^"Scenarios: Who will face New Zealand in the WTC final?".ICC.2 February 2021.Retrieved5 February2021.After the postponement of the South Africa-Australia Test series, New Zealand were confirmed as one of the finalists of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, leaving one spot up for grabs for all of India, England and Australia.
  20. ^"ICC announces World Cup schedule; 14 teams in 2027 And 2031".Six Sports.Retrieved2 June2021.
  21. ^"WTC final: India, New Zealand, and weather exercise thrift".Six Sports.Retrieved19 June2021.
  22. ^"Not luck, not fluke - New Zealand deserve to be the World Test Champions".ESPNcricinfo.24 June 2021.Retrieved27 June2021.
  23. ^ab"ICC World Test Championship 2021-2023".ESPNCricinfo.Retrieved2 December2022.
  24. ^"ICC to introduce new points system for World Test Championship".SportsTiger.30 June 2021.Retrieved14 July2021.
  25. ^"Travis Head leads charge to seal emphatic chase for Australia".ESPNcricinfo.3 March 2023.Retrieved3 March2023.
  26. ^"India qualify for WTC final after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka in Christchurch".ESPNcricinfo.13 March 2023.Retrieved15 March2023.
  27. ^"ICC World Test Championship Final 2021-23".ESPNcricinfo.Retrieved14 March2023.
  28. ^"The Oval and Lord's to host 2023 and 2025 WTC finals".ESPNCricinfo.21 September 2022.Retrieved2 December2022.
  29. ^"World Test Championship final: New Zealand beat India on sixth day to become world champions".BBC Sport.Retrieved23 June2021.
  30. ^"New Zealand crowned World Test Champions after thrilling final day".International Cricket Council.Retrieved26 June2021.
  31. ^"India v New Zealand: World Test Championship final, day five – as it happened".The Guardian.22 June 2021.Retrieved26 June2021.
  32. ^"Australia vs India | ICC World Test Championship | ICC".icc-cricket.Retrieved14 March2023.
  33. ^"Australia crowned ICC World Test Champions with win over India".International Cricket Council.Retrieved11 June2023.
  34. ^Gallan, Daniel (11 June 2023)."World Test Championship final: Australia beat India by 209 runs – as it happened".The Guardian.Retrieved11 June2023.
  35. ^"ICC World Test Championship Records - Cricket's Remarkable Feats".ESPNcricinfo.Retrieved9 December2023.
  36. ^"Most Runs World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved1 June2022.
  37. ^"Most centuries World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved1 June2022.
  38. ^"Highest Average World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved1 June2022.
  39. ^"High Scores World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 August2021.
  40. ^"Most Wickets World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 August2021.
  41. ^"Best Bowling Average World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 August2021.
  42. ^"Best Bowling Figures in a Match World Test Championship".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved4 August2021.
  43. ^"Most Dismissals for a wicket-keeper World Test Championship".ESPNcricinfo.Retrieved18 December2023.
  44. ^"Most Catches for a player World Test Championship".ESPNcricinfo.Retrieved18 December2023.
  45. ^"Highest Team Totals".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 August2021.
  46. ^"Lowest Team Totals".ESPN Cricinfo.Retrieved8 August2021.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=ICC_World_Test_Championship&oldid=1234485458"