The International Cricket Council (ICC) may introduce a revamped points structure for World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27, introducing in-game bonus points and additional points for away wins. The next cycle starts in June.
Australia will face South Africa in the 2023-25 championship final at Lord’s on June 11. The 2025-27 championship will begin with England’s five-Test series against India on June 20.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
The current format has faced criticism, particularly from England, regarding its points system fairness. The points penalties for slow over rates have been eased, as England frequently violated these rules. The ICC is now exploring broader changes to the points system for the new cycle, reports The Telegraph.
The ICC board meeting in early April will discuss implementing bonus points for victory margins, something that is deployed in South Africa’s T20 league (SA20). Currently, all victories carry equal weight regardless of the margin. The proposed system would reward teams with bonus points for decisive wins, like innings victories, aiming to maintain interest in matches with predictable outcomes.
The ICC is evaluating two additional changes to weight victories based on opponent strength. One proposal would assign more points for away wins, potentially encouraging teams to focus more on overseas series preparation and improving competitive cricket quality.
A seeding system is another consideration, which would adjust point values based on the opposing team. This change could benefit England’s chances of reaching the final, considering their regular matches against Australia and India.
These proposed changes would significantly increase points for exceptional performances, such as New Zealand’s recent 3-0 victory in India. Under the current system, this historic achievement earned the same points as England’s 3-0 home win against West Indies.
Some have questioned South Africa’s path to this year’s final. During 2023-25, they won home series against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, away series against Bangladesh and West Indies, drew with India at home, and lost in New Zealand. They didn’t face Australia or England during this period.
The championship must consider the ongoing absence of India-Pakistan matches, as India’s government prohibits bilateral competition outside limited-overs tournaments. There are also concerns that the new points system might further complicate the championship standings.
The current points system reflects scheduling disparities, with Australia, England, and India playing approximately double the Tests of other nations.
Australia have reached consecutive finals, winning in 2023, while India made the finals in 2021 and 2023. England have finished fourth twice and fifth once in the championship’s three editions, despite being Test cricket’s traditional home and hosting all finals.
The proposed immediate changes are separate from discussions about the championship’s future after 2027. Cricket Australia have suggested a two-division structure to enable more profitable series between Australia, England, and India, though the England and Wales Cricket Board hasn’t strongly supported this idea.
Richard Thompson, the ECB chairman, stated in February: “It is fully understood that the current structure does not work in the way it should and we need to find a fairer, better competition, but at this stage no recommendations have been put forward.”
He added: “The World Test Championship should be fairer and more competitive. It is going to change to ensure it always encourages the best teams to reach the final and encourages other nations that want to play Test cricket, to play Test cricket.”
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.
