ICC Considers Major Changes to World Test Championship Points System
Potential Overhaul of WTC Points System
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is contemplating significant modifications to the points system for the World Test Championships (WTC) in the upcoming cycle. According to a report from a leading news outlet, the ICC is expected to postpone the controversial idea of splitting Test cricket into two divisions during its meetings in Zimbabwe this weekend.
The governing body has been evaluating a new bonus points system that would reward teams based on their victory margins, akin to the system used in rugby union. This would involve adjusting points for wins depending on the strength of the opponents and providing additional points for victories achieved away from home. This topic is anticipated to be a focal point of discussion in the meetings.
The next WTC cycle is set to commence with India visiting England for a five-match series in June, just days after the conclusion of the final for the 2023-2025 cycle, which will feature South Africa and Australia at Lord’s.
Currently, the WTC awards a uniform number of points—12 for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw. This system has led to dissatisfaction among teams, particularly the so-called Big Three—India, England, and Australia—who feel disadvantaged as they frequently compete against one another.
The report highlighted that South Africa's journey to this year's final sparked some resentment, as they achieved this without facing England or Australia. Their series victories against teams like West Indies, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, along with a draw and a loss against India, were sufficient for them to reach the final for the first time.
Additionally, discussions are expected to address penalties for slow over rates, with England's director of cricket, Rob Key, emphasizing the impact of these penalties on the WTC rankings.
Out of the nine teams participating in the current WTC edition, six have faced penalties for slow play, with England being the most penalized, losing 22 points and finishing sixth with a points percentage of 41.5. Despite this, their win percentage of 51.5 ranks third, behind South Africa and Australia.
The ICC is likely to delay the proposal to create two divisions in Test cricket, opting to maintain the existing single-league WTC format for now. A proposal from Cricket Australia to implement a two-division system will not be voted on at this time.
The ICC requires additional time to assess the sporting and financial ramifications of a two-tier system, which may be revisited before the 2027-2029 WTC cycle.
Instead of expanding to two divisions by including teams like Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe, the next WTC edition will continue with its current nine-team format running from this summer until 2027.
Cricket Australia supports the idea of two divisions, which would allow Australia, England, and India to compete against each other twice every three years, potentially generating substantial financial benefits. However, other Test-playing nations have expressed concerns that this system could further widen the gap between them and the Big Three.