ICC World Test Championship 2025: Everything You Need to Know

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) remains one of cricket's most prestigious multi-team competitions, giving context and meaning to every Test series played around the globe. As we move deeper into the current WTC cycle, the race to the Lord's final is tightening — and the stakes have never been higher.

What Is the World Test Championship?

Launched in 2019, the WTC was created to give Test cricket a structured, competitive framework. Teams accumulate points based on series results, with the top two sides at the end of the cycle meeting in a final at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. It has quickly become one of the most watched events in the Test calendar.

How Are Points Calculated?

The ICC uses a Percentage of Points Won (PCT) system to rank teams. This was introduced to fairly account for teams that play different numbers of series. Each Test match carries a set number of points per series, distributed as follows:

  • Win: Full points for that match
  • Draw: One-third of the match points each
  • Tie: Half the match points each
  • Loss: Zero points

Teams are ranked by their PCT — the percentage of total available points they have actually earned across all completed matches.

Key Teams to Watch

Several nations have historically dominated the WTC standings and remain strong contenders in the current cycle:

  • Australia: Reigning WTC champions and perennially one of the best Test outfits. Their depth in both batting and pace bowling makes them dangerous on any surface.
  • India: Home dominance is almost guaranteed, and with improving away performances, India remain the team to beat in any WTC cycle.
  • South Africa: Often underestimated, the Proteas punch above their weight in Test cricket with some of the best pace bowlers in the world.
  • England: Under their 'Bazball' philosophy, England have become one of the most exciting Test sides, racking up wins at a remarkable rate.
  • New Zealand: The inaugural WTC champions, New Zealand are always competitive and difficult to beat at home.

Crucial Series Still to Be Played

With several major series still on the schedule, the final standings are far from settled. Blockbuster matchups involving teams in the top four of the standings will have a dramatic impact on PCT rankings. A single series loss can drop a team from a qualifying position entirely.

What to Watch For

  1. Home-vs-away results: Teams that can win away from home accumulate points faster.
  2. Rain-affected draws: A well-timed draw can be just as valuable as a win in a tight series.
  3. Lower-ranked nations causing upsets: A shock series win by a team like Sri Lanka or West Indies can flip the table significantly.

Why Test Cricket Still Matters

Despite the explosion of T20 leagues worldwide, the WTC has reaffirmed that Test cricket is very much alive. The Championship gives fans a reason to care about every session of every Test, knowing that even a draw has long-term consequences. For purists and newcomers alike, the WTC cycle is essential cricket viewing.

Keep checking back to 11 Wicket for updated standings, series previews, and expert analysis as the WTC race unfolds.