World Test Championship: Complete Information

World Test Championship: Complete Information 

What is the World Test Championship?

The World Test Championship will be like the World Cup of Test cricket, similar to the ODI and T20 World Cups. 

Start Date: World Test Championship will begin on August 1, 2019, with the beginning of the first Ashes test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston in Birmingham, UK. 

Format:

The World Test Championship will be played over the next two years, from 2019 to 2021. Most test series played by the participating teams during this period will be a part of their campaign in the test championship. 

Final: The World Test Championship final will be played in England in June 2021

Participating Teams: The nine top-ranked teams in the ICC Test rankings will be competing in the World Test Championship. The teams include India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies. 

Which teams will not be a part of the ICC World Test Championship?
Zimbabwe 
Afghanistan 
Ireland 

World Test Championship: India’s schedule

1. India vs West Indies (Away)-  2 Tests (July-August 2019)
2. India vs South Africa (Home)- 3 Tests (October-November 2019)
3. India vs  Bangladesh (Home)- 2 Tests (November 2019)
4. India vs New Zealand (Away)- 2 Tests (February 2020)
5. India vs Australia (Away)- 4 Tests (December 2020)
6. India vs England (Home)- 5 Tests (January-February 2021)

How will the World Test Championship work?

The nine participating teams will be required to play six bilateral test series each against mutually chosen teams during the course of the World Test Championship. Three of the test series will be played at home, remaining three away. All nine teams will not be playing against each other. The teams will be facing just six teams, instead of eight. 

What will be point system in the World Test Championship?

Each of the six bilateral test series in the World Test Championship will carry a total of 120 points. Each series can have anywhere between two to five tests. The number of points of each test match will be determined by dividing the total points by the total number of matches in the series.  For example, if it’s a two-match test series, then the points up for grabs in each test match will be 60 (50% of 120). However, if its five-match test series, then the points up for grabs in each test match will be 24. The points will be awarded for the result obtained in each test match and not the result of the test series.