ICC World Test Championship: Format, Points, and History
How the ICC World Test Championship works — its points system, qualifying structure, and why it gives meaning to every Test series in the modern calendar.
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is the pinnacle of Test cricket competition — a league spanning two years that culminates in a final between the top two ranked sides. It was created to give Test cricket a meaningful overall structure and to reduce the perception that bilateral Test series were isolated events without broader consequence.
History and Background
The ICC first proposed a Test championship in the 1990s but implementation was repeatedly delayed due to scheduling conflicts and disagreements between boards. The current format was finally launched in August 2019, with the first cycle running from August 2019 to June 2021. New Zealand won the inaugural final, defeating India at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton in June 2021.
How the Points System Works
Each Test series in the WTC earns points. The points per series vary based on the number of Tests in the series — the ICC allocates 120 points per series regardless of length, split between wins, draws, and ties. A team that wins a 2-Test series wins 60 points per win; a team that wins a 5-Test series wins 24 points per win.
Teams are ranked by PCT (percentage of available points won) rather than raw points totals. This normalises results so that teams that play more series are not automatically advantaged. After all series in the cycle are completed, the top two teams by PCT advance to the WTC Final.
| Result | Points Awarded |
|---|---|
| Win | 12 points (per Test) |
| Draw | 4 points (per Test) |
| Tie | 6 points (per Test) |
| Loss | 0 points |
The WTC Final
The WTC Final is a standalone 5-day Test match played at a neutral venue in England in June, at the end of each 2-year cycle. It is effectively a cricket World Cup for Test cricket. If the match is drawn after 5 days, a reserve day (day 6) is used.
WTC Cycle Results
- WTC 2019–21: New Zealand def India by 8 wickets (Southampton, Jun 2021)
- WTC 2021–23: Australia def India by 209 runs (The Oval, Jun 2023)
- WTC 2023–25: South Africa def Australia by 6 wickets (Lord's, Jun 2025)
Criticisms and Limitations
The WTC has faced criticism over its points system complexity — many casual fans find the PCT calculation opaque. It has also been criticised because some series in the cycle are much larger than others, and the timing of difficult tours can disproportionately affect certain teams' PCT. However, most cricket analysts agree the WTC has given Test cricket greater context and raised the stakes of bilateral series.
Frequently asked questions
How does the WTC points system work?
Each Test series has 120 points available. Points are divided per Test win, draw, or tie within the series. Teams are ranked by PCT (percentage of points available that they actually won). The top two teams by PCT at the end of the cycle contest the WTC Final.
Who has won the WTC?
New Zealand won the inaugural WTC (2019–21), defeating India. Australia won the second WTC (2021–23), defeating India. South Africa won the third WTC (2023–25), defeating Australia at Lord's.
Where is the WTC Final played?
WTC Finals are played in England, typically at Lord's or The Oval in London, in June. England is chosen as a neutral venue given its central position in international cricket and its facilities for high-profile matches.