World Test Championship: Who Can Make It to the Final?
The WTC operates in two-year cycles, with each team competing in six series—three at home and three away. Each Test victory brings 12 points, a tie yields six points, and a draw provides four points. Since each team plays a different number of matches, the ranking is based on the percentage of points won. A win counts as 100% of available points, a tie as 50%, and a draw as 33.3%. Teams can also lose points for maintaining a slow over-rate, which has already affected multiple teams in this cycle.
After a tough defeat to Pakistan, England’s chances in the World Test Championship (WTC) have come to an end. Losses in Rawalpindi and Multan shut down their hopes, meaning Ben Stokes’ team can now focus elsewhere. However, five teams are still in contention to secure a spot in the final, which will be held at Lord’s in June 2025. Among these contenders are Australia, the current WTC holders, along with India, New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.
Understanding the World Test Championship Points System
The WTC operates in two-year cycles, with each team competing in six series—three at home and three away. Each Test victory brings 12 points, a tie yields six points, and a draw provides four points. Since each team plays a different number of matches, the ranking is based on the percentage of points won. A win counts as 100% of available points, a tie as 50%, and a draw as 33.3%. Teams can also lose points for maintaining a slow over-rate, which has already affected multiple teams in this cycle.
Upcoming Key Fixtures for WTC Qualification
Crucial series remain in the 2023-2025 cycle. India and Australia will face off in a five-match series, while New Zealand will host England. Other important series include South Africa against Sri Lanka, West Indies versus Bangladesh, and Pakistan taking on South Africa. These matches are critical for each team’s chances in the WTC, especially for those in the top-five chase.
Teams Out of Contention
England, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies are now out of the race for the final. However, over-rate penalties could still shake up the standings, as several teams, including England and Australia, have already been docked points in this cycle.
WTC Final Details
The ICC introduced the World Test Championship in 2019 to give Test cricket a prestigious tournament. The inaugural final in 2021 saw New Zealand defeat India, while Australia triumphed over India in the 2023 edition. The upcoming WTC final is set to begin on 11 June 2025 at Lord’s, with full radio commentary coverage available from the BBC.
