The International Cricket Council (ICC) might agree to major changes in the points system for the World Test Championship (WTC) in the next cycle. However, it is expected to delay the controversial proposal to divide Test cricket into two divisions during its meetings in Zimbabwe over the weekend, according to a report in The Guardian on Saturday.
ICC Considers Major Changes to WTC Points System
The governing body has been considering a new system for bonus points based on the margin of victory – “similar to that used in rugby union,” while also giving more points for wins against stronger opponents and adding extra points for winning away from home. This will likely be a major topic of discussion in the meetings.
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The next World Test Championship (WTC) cycle starts with India touring England for a five-match series in June this year, just five days after the final for the 2023-2025 cycle between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s.
WTC 2023-2025 Cycle: Points System and Challenges
The current WTC system gives the same number of points – 12 for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw. This has caused frustration because India, England, and Australia – the Big Three in cricket – “are disadvantaged as they play more games against each other.”
“South Africa’s achievement in reaching this year’s final led to some resentment as they did so without playing England or Australia. Series wins against West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, a draw against India and defeat in India yielded enough points for the Proteas to reach the final for the first time,” the report added.
The report also mentioned that the issue of over-rate penalties will be discussed, with England’s director of cricket, Rob Key, pointing out how severe the WTC points are on the rankings.
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“Six of the nine teams in the current edition have been hit with penalties for slow play, England are the worst offenders. They lost 22 points across their campaign to finish sixth with a points percentage of 41.5. However, their win percentage of 51.5 during this period is third best behind the finalists, South Africa and Australia,” the report said.
The report added that the ICC could delay the plan to divide Test cricket into two divisions for now and continue with the current single-league WTC format.
“A proposal from Cricket Australia to move to two divisions will not be put to a vote,” said the report.
It also mentioned that the ICC needed more time to understand the sporting and financial impact of the two-tier system, and that the proposal could be discussed ahead of the 2027-2029 WTC cycle.
“Rather than expanding to two divisions of six by adding Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe to the WTC, the next edition running from this summer until 2027 will retain its existing nine-team format,” said the report.
Cricket Australia’s Support for Two-Tier System
Cricket Australia is said to support the idea of two divisions, which would mean Australia, England, and India play against each other twice every three years, “rather than the current model of two series in four years, and generate huge financial returns.”
Other Test-playing countries have shared concerns about the two-tier system, fearing it could make them fall further behind the so-called Big Three.
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