The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering to make certain changed in the World Test Championship (WTC) points system to make test cricket more competitive and rewarding.
The changes aim to introduce bonus points for dominant victories and away wins, encouraging teams to push for results rather than settling for draws.
With the next WTC cycle set to begin in June 2025, the upcoming ICC board meeting in April could decide the fate of this new system.
The WTC’s third cycle will conclude with the finals between South Africa and Australia at Lord’s. However, the ICC has been criticised for unfair system in the league stage.
“Issues such as giving bonus points for innings wins have been in continuous discussion since the beginning of the WTC. Many teams felt that wins against higher-ranked teams should carry greater weight. This could again come up for deliberations,” said a source.
The bonus point would emulate the structure of several First Class domestic competitions, such as the Ranji Trophy or the Sheffield Shield.
Under the existing WTC structure, teams earn 12 points for a win, 6 points for a tie and 4 points for a draw.
However, teams have long expressed concerns that this system does not adequately reward commanding performances. As a result, the ICC is now considering a revised approach that will factor in the margin of victories and the strength of opponents.
The ICC will try to use this system to further make it a more equitable tournament. Due to its strange structure wherein not all 10 teams plays one another, the new system intends to reward overseas series victories higher than home series.
The new points system will be discussed in the ICC’s meeting in April. The intention is to level the playing field over a cycle that sees India, Australia and England play almost twice as many matches as the rest of the field.
Meanwhile, Apart from the bonus points system, the ICC board meeting may also discuss the two-tier test system, an idea strongly backed by many cricket pundits.
The concern that a two-tier system could further limit opportunities for lower-ranked teams, making it even harder for them to improve and compete at the highest level.
The WTC 2023-25 finals played between South Africa and Australia on June 11-15, 2025 at Lord’s.
