World Test Championship

ICC World Test Championship

The World Test Championship, introduced in 2019 with nine full member nations, is currently in its third edition. The 2023–2025 series, which commenced with The Ashes between England and Australia in June 2023, is a significant chapter in Test cricket. This ongoing tournament will reach its climax with the final scheduled to be held at Lord’s in June 2025, promising an exciting conclusion to this prestigious championship.

Format of World Test Championship (WTC)

The World Test Championship features 27 series and 69 matches during its league stage. In the end, the top two teams on the points table face off in the final at Lord's, London. Each team competes in six series—three at home and three abroad—with each series comprising two to five Test matches. For the 2023–2025 cycle, teams earn 12 points for a win, 6 points for a tie, and 4 points for a draw, adding a competitive edge to each match.

Previous Cycles of The World Test Championship

The current World Test Championship cycle is its third edition. The first two editions took place from 2019-21 and 2021-23. Each cycle has brought its own excitement and challenges to Test cricket, culminating in this ongoing chapter of the prestigious tournament.

First Cycle of WTC (2019-21)

The inaugural World Test Championship kicked off with the 2019 Ashes series. However, the tournament faced interruptions when matches were halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resuming only in July. New Zealand secured the first spot in the final after South Africa and Australia’s series was canceled, followed by India. The final, held from June 18-23, 2021, at Rose Bowl, Southampton, saw New Zealand triumph on the reserve day, despite rain delays, to claim the championship.

Second Cycle of WTC (2021-23)

The second World Test Championship cycle (2021–23) kicked off in August 2021 with the Pataudi Trophy series between India and England. The ICC introduced a revised points system for this edition. Australia secured their place in the final by winning the 2022–23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s third Test, while India advanced after Sri Lanka’s series in New Zealand fell short. The final, held from June 7-11, 2023, at The Oval, saw Australia defeat India by 209 runs, marking India’s second consecutive final loss.

The Ongoing Cycle of WTC (2023-25)

The 2023–25 World Test Championship cycle commenced with the first Ashes Test on June 16, 2023. The ICC has confirmed that the championship final will be held at Lord's in the summer of 2025, adding a prestigious venue to the tournament's climactic conclusion.

ICC World Test Championship Points Table – 2023-25

Position	Team	Matches Played	Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	Deductions	Total Points Considered	Points	Percentage	Qualification
1	South Africa	12	12	8	1	3	0	144	100	69.44	Advanced to the Final
2	Australia	19	19	13	2	4	10	228	154	67.54
3	India	19	19	9	2	8	2	228	114	50
4	New Zealand	14	14	7	0	7	3	168	81	48.21
5	England	22	22	11	1	10	22	264	114	43.18
6	Sri Lanka	13	13	5	0	8	0	156	60	38.46
7	Bangladesh	12	12	4	0	8	3	144	45	31.25
8	West Indies	13	13	3	2	8	0	156	44	28.21
9	Pakistan	14	14	5	0	9	13	168	47	27.98

Additional Details

A win is worth 12 points. A draw is worth 4 points. A tie is worth 6 points.

Points Deductions

1. Australia were deducted a total of 10 points for a slow over-rate in the fourth Test against England.
2. India were deducted a total of 2 points for a slow over-rate in the first Test against South Africa.
3. New Zealand were deducted a total of 3 points for a slow over-rate in the first Test against England.
4. England were deducted a total of 22 points for slow over-rates in:
5. The first, second, fourth, and fifth Tests against Australia.
6. The first Test against New Zealand.
7. Bangladesh were deducted a total of 3 points for a slow over-rate in the first Test against Pakistan.

Pakistan were deducted a total of 13 points for slow over-rates in:

1. The first Test against Australia.
2. The first Test against Bangladesh.
3. The second Test against South Africa.
4. Standings will be updated after each game is completed.

ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025: Latest Standings & Final Match Updates

As of February 10, 2025, the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings have shifted significantly following recent Test series results.

Latest WTC Standings (2025)

South Africa leads the table with a 69.44% winning percentage. Australia follows closely at 67.54%, securing a strong position for the final. India holds third place with a 50% winning percentage, making their chances slim for this cycle.

Australia’s Road to the WTC Final

Australia confirmed their place in the WTC Final 2025 after an impressive 3-1 series victory over India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They further strengthened their position with a 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka in Galle.

WTC Final 2025: Australia vs. South Africa

Date: June 11, 2025 Venue: Lord’s Cricket Ground, London This highly anticipated clash between two of the world's strongest Test teams is expected to deliver an intense battle for the championship title.

Past Encounters

Memorable India-Australia Battles 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy:

India’s historic 2-1 victory at The Gabba ended Australia’s unbeaten streak at the venue since 1988. 2021 ICC Men's T20 World Cup: Australia won their first-ever T20 World Cup, defeating New Zealand in the final.

No India-Australia Final This Time

With the current WTC standings, an India-Australia final is off the table for this cycle. However, cricket fans can expect a thrilling showdown between South Africa and Australia as they battle for the WTC title at Lord’s. Stay tuned for more WTC updates, match previews, and expert analysis as the final approaches!