ICC World Test Championship – The story so far
The third instalment of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is set to come to a thrilling conclusion as defending champions Australia take on South Africa at Lord's in the final, which begins on 11 June.
The Proteas finished top of the league table during the 2023-25 WTC cycle having won 69.44 per cent of the points on offer to them during the six series they contested - winning eight of their 12 Test matches, drawing one and losing three.
Meanwhile, Andrew McDonald's side finished second with 67.54per cent of points won and were the only nation to go unbeaten across the six series they were part of.
Australia won 13 of their 19 Tests, drawing two, losing four and having 10 points deducted for a slow over-rate infringement, to book their place in the final as they bid to retain a trophy they lifted for the first time in 2023.
With the next showpiece looming into view, we look back at the story of the competition so far.
The idea
The motivation behind the introduction of the ICC World Test Championship was to add context to bilateral Test cricket.
With every game during a series worth points in the final standings, all matches therefore have something riding on them, even if a Test match is a 'dead rubber' in terms of the series it is a part of.
By creating a dedicated Test cricket competition, the WTC honours the importance of the longest form of the game and ensures a pinnacle event for the format – just as the World Cups are for men and women in the ODI and T20I formats.
Format
The top nine teams in the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings take part in the WTC.
Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies have all been ever-present in the WTC and they will all feature in the upcoming 2025-27 cycle too.
All nine countries participating play three home and three away series over a two-year period, with the opponents decided by mutual agreement, often within existing frameworks of Member rights agreements.
The number of matches in each series can differ between a minimum of two matches to a maximum of five.
Since the 2021-23 WTC, each Test match contested has been worth 12 points, with the winner taking home all of them, a tie earning each team six points, a draw giving both sides four points and a loss resulting in no points.
Points can be deducted for slow over rates.
The league table is based upon the percentage of points won by each team, with the top two teams in the standings progressing to the final.
The launch
A competition to decide the world's best Test team had long been mooted, with the West Indies legend Clive Lloyd suggesting the idea back in 1996.
Further talks took place between relevant stakeholders throughout the 2010s and after many years of careful discussions – which considered matters such as the international calendar, other ICC tournaments and existing commitments to broadcasters and sponsors - and meticulous preparations, it was announced on 29 July 2019 that the first WTC would take place over the next two years, with that summer's Ashes series acting as the competition's curtain raiser.
During the launch, England's all-time leading Test wicket taker James Anderson said: 'Test cricket is the pinnacle of our sport. It is the very essence of cricket, and the majority of players want to strive to play the purest form of the game.
'The ICC World Test Championship is another brilliant initiative for the sport, adding context and relevance to every Test series. Every Test matters, but even more so now.'
Previous finals
New Zealand triumphed in the inaugural showpiece of the World Test Championship in 2021 at the Rose Bowl.
The BLACKCAPS travelled to Southampton to take on India and won the rain-affected contest by eight wickets – with the reserve day being required due to a washed-out opening day.
After bowling India out for 217, with Kyle Jamieson the pick of the bowlers with five for 31, New Zealand responded with 249 in their first innings.
Facing a deficit of 32 runs, India could only muster 170 in their second innings leaving Kane Williamson and his men needing 139 for victory.
The captain was there unbeaten on 52 alongside Ross Taylor, who hit the winning runs to deliver New Zealand's men, their first ICC tournament win since 2000.
Speaking post-match, Williamson said: 'It is the pinnacle, being involved in the final.
'For us it is a very proud moment in our history and a proud moment, just as a team, to stick to what we do well and come away with the win, which is a really great feeling."
Two years later, it was Australia who took the spoils at The Oval.
They beat India by 209 runs, and in doing so, became the first men's team to win every ICC competition on offer to them.
Travis Head starred with the bat – hitting a notable 163 – to help his side compile 469 in their first innings.
India responded with 296 and, after Australia's second innings effort of 270 for eight declared, were faced with a target of 444 for victory.
Rohit Sharma's side could only make 234 as Australia added another major ICC trophy to their cabinet.
'Everyone played really well, and we will savour this for a few days,' said captain Pat Cummins after the match.
'This is our favourite format; we grew up watching Test cricket. It challenges you. When you win, it is the format you get most satisfaction with.'
With two enthralling finals already part of the WTC's burgeoning history, all eyes will be on Lord's as the next chapter is set to be written in north London.
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