ICC World Test Championship

The ICC launched the World Test Championship (WTC) in 2019 to crown the world’s best Test cricket team. Featuring the top nine Test-playing nations, the tournament runs over two years, with teams playing series based on bilateral agreements. A points system rewards match outcomes and series victories, with the top two teams advancing to a one-off final at a neutral venue. The inaugural final in June 2021 saw New Zealand defeat India by 8 wickets at Southampton, becoming the first WTC champions.

Aim of WTC

The ICC introduced the World Test Championship (WTC) to revive interest in Test cricket by giving it a structured, competitive format. As fan attention shifted toward shorter formats like ODIs and T20Is, the WTC aimed to restore the importance of the traditional five-day game. By making each match count toward a larger goal, the tournament adds significance to bilateral series, promotes strategic and long-format skills, and encourages diverse competition across conditions. Overall, the WTC enhances the value, relevance, and global appeal of Test cricket.

Future of World Test Championship

It is expected that the WTC will continue to be a recurring tournament, with subsequent editions being organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The ICC introduced the WTC as a long-term initiative to bring more context and significance to Test cricket matches. The inaugural edition, which ran from August 2019 to June 2021, received a positive response from fans and players, and it showcased the potential of the championship format in revitalizing Test cricket. Given the success and objectives of the WTC, it is likely that the ICC will continue organizing future editions of the tournament. The specifics of the format, qualification process, and scheduling may be subject to review and potential modifications based on feedback and the evolving landscape of international cricket.

Inaugural Edition of World Test Championship 2019-2021

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) brought new significance to Test cricket as teams competed for the prestigious Test Mace and substantial prize money. In the inaugural edition, New Zealand emerged as winners and received $1.6 million, while India, the runners-up, were awarded $800,000. Australia, finishing third, earned $450,000. The tournament began on August 1, 2019, and featured nine teams as Australia (AUS), Bangladesh (BAN), England (ENG), India (IND), New Zealand (NZL), Pakistan (PAK), South Africa (RSA), Sri Lanka (SL), and the West Indies (WI). Over a two-year period, they all played 61 Test matches.

The WTC commenced with the highly anticipated Ashes series between England and Australia, with the first match held at the historic Edgbaston Ground in Birminghm. Australia triumphed with a commanding 251-run victory. Initially, the ICC planned to determine the WTC standings based on points earned in each series, but disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic led them to change the system to the percentage of points earned. The percentage (PCT) represents the points won out of the total contested. In the 2019-21 cycle, a total of 61 Tests were played. At the conclusion of the cycle, India secured the top position with a PCT of 72.2, while New Zealand narrowly surpassed Australia with a PCT of 70.0, compared to Australia’s 69.2 PCT.

The inaugural ICC World Test Championship Final, known as the Ultimate Test, took place at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton from June 18th to 23rd. The final was extended to six days by the ICC to increase the likelihood of a decisive outcome instead of a draw. The match featured New Zealand and India as the competing teams which eventually ended in the form of victory to New Zealand by 8 wickets and hence the ICC WTC goes to New Zealand.

2^nd Edition of World Test Championship 2021-2023

Starting from Wednesday, June 7th, India will have a chance at redemption as they face Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final of the 2021-23 cycle at The Oval. The two teams have engaged in intense Test battles in recent years, with India holding the upper hand and maintaining a strong grip on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning matches both at home and away since the 2016-17 season. India will aim to surpass their performance in Southampton and secure victory at The Oval, while Australia will be eager to defeat their formidable rivals on neutral ground after experiencing four consecutive losses in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series (both home and away). The latest edition of the series in India concluded with a 2-1 series win for the hosts.

Australia secured their spot in the final by winning the third Test in Indore, while India sealed their place with a draw in the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad, combined with Sri Lanka’s defeat to New Zealand in the Christchurch Test. The historic venue of The Oval, renowned for hosting 104 Tests, the fourth-highest for any ground, is all set to witness an iconic clash between two evenly matched teams. This final Test will mark the culmination of the 70th match in this WTC cycle. The final is anticipated to be a thrilling battle that will keep fans at the stadium and around the world on the edge of their seats. The clash has received an enthusiastic response from fans, with a significant turnout expected from local Test cricket enthusiasts and a large presence of Indian and Australian supporters in the 23,500-capacity stadium.

Australia and India emerged as the top two teams on the points table, earning their spots in the final held at The Oval, London, from 7–11 June 2023. In a dominant performance, Australia defeated India by 209 runs to claim their first WTC title, becoming the only team to have won all major ICC trophies

3^rd Edition of World Test Championship 2023-2025

The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship saw a gripping contest among nine Test-playing nations, culminating in a final showdown between Australia and South Africa. Australia, the defending champions, maintained a strong campaign with 13 wins out of 19 matches, finishing second on the points table with a percentage of 67.54. South Africa, on the other hand, topped the table with a 69.44% win rate, securing 8 victories in 12 matches. While Australia relied on their depth and experience, South Africa’s rise was marked by a string of dominant series wins, including clean sweeps against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. This marked South Africa’s first appearance in a WTC final, while Australia returned as reigning champions.

The final, held at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground from June 11–14, 2025, lived up to its billing as the “Ultimate Test.” Australia batted first and posted 212, with Beau Webster top-scoring. South Africa struggled in reply, managing only 138, as Pat Cummins tore through their lineup with a six-wicket haul. However, the match turned dramatically in the second innings.

Australia set a target of 282 after scoring 207, but South Africa, led by a sublime 136 from Aiden Markram and a composed 65 from captain Temba Bavuma, chased it down with five wickets to spare. Markram’s century earned him Player of the Match honors, and South Africa lifted their first-ever ICC World Test Championship mace—also their first ICC title since 1998.

Impact of World Test Championship 2025

The 2025 ICC World Test Championship final between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s not only crowned a new champion but also reignited global interest in Test cricket. South Africa’s five-wicket victory, their first ICC title since 1998, highlighted the format’s drama and competitiveness beyond the traditional “Big Three.”

The match’s thrilling moments and standout performances inspired renewed enthusiasm for red-ball cricket and sparked discussions about greater support for financially weaker cricket boards to ensure a more inclusive and sustainable future for Test cricket.

In essence, the 2025 final didn’t just conclude a tournament—it reignited belief in the enduring magic of Test cricket.