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ICC is set to make changes in the WTC points system. The two-tier format, however, is likely to be postponed.
The International Cricket Council is set to make major changes in the points system of the World Test Championships from the next cycle. A report in The Guardian on Saturday suggested that the governing body is likely to delay the controversial proposal to divide Test cricket into two divisions during its meetings in Zimbabwe over the weekend.
The governing body for the sport has been considering a new bonus point system, which would be determined by the margin of victory, “similar to that used in rugby union, while weighting points for wins based on the strength of opponents and adding extra points for winning away from home” and it could be a big point of discussion during a series of meetings.
The next World Test Championship will begin with India touring England for a five match series, in june this year, five days after the winner of 2023-2025 cycle between South Africa and Australia is announced.
The current World Test Championship (WTC) format grants 12 points for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw. However, this system has sparked discontent, with claims that cricket’s ‘Big Three’ India, England, and Australia are at a disadvantage due to playing more matches against one another.
“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 is expected to be discussed, especially after England’s director of cricket, Rob Key, pointed out how significantly WTC point deductions can impact team rankings.
“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 reports also added that ICC could put on hold, to divide test cricket in two divisons and coninue with the single league WTC format
“A proposal from Cricket Australia to move to two divisions will not be put to a vote,” said the report.
The reports also said ICC needs additional time to assess the sporting and financial impact of two-tier system. As a result, the proposal might be revisited ahead of the 2027-2029 World Test Championship cycle.
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“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.
Tags:
- Cricket Australia
- England Cricket Board
- ICC
- Indian cricket team
