The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is a biennial Test cricket tournament orchestrated by the International Cricket Council (ICC). It's the pinnacle of the longest format of the game, where the victors are bestowed with the coveted Test Mace. This distinctive trophy was once the symbol of supremacy for the team leading the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings. Currently, the mantle of champions rests with South Africa, who vanquished Australia in the 2025 final held at the hallowed grounds of Lord's.
The WTC operates on a league system, with individual matches organized by the respective host nations' cricket boards. However, the grand finale, the championship match itself, is a direct production of the ICC. The journey began with the inaugural ICC World Test Championship, which commenced with the iconic 2019 Ashes series. It culminated in June 2021 with New Zealand triumphing over India in the final showdown. The second ICC World Test Championship kicked off on August 4, 2021, with the England–India series, concluding with Australia claiming the title after defeating India in the final. The third iteration launched on June 16, 2023, with the 2023 Ashes series, and saw South Africa emerge victorious against Australia in the final.
History
The genesis of a Test championship can be traced back to 1996, when Clive Lloyd, a former cricketer and then manager of the West Indies team, first proposed the concept. Years later, in 2009, discussions between the ICC and the MCC reignited the idea. Former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe was instrumental in shaping this proposal, becoming one of its primary architects.
In July 2010, ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat put forth a suggestion for a quadrennial tournament. This envisioned a format where the top four ranked nations would compete in semi-finals, culminating in a final, as a strategic move to revitalize waning interest in the protracted format of Test cricket. The initial plan was for this championship to supplant the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in England and Wales.
The concept of a Test championship was subsequently deliberated by the ICC Chief Executives' Committee during a meeting at their headquarters in Dubai in mid-September 2010. An ICC spokesperson, Colin Gibson, indicated that further details would be released post-meeting, adding that if the championship were to be hosted in England, Lord's would be the preferred venue for the final. As anticipated, the ICC gave its approval to the plan, announcing that the inaugural tournament would take place in England and Wales in 2013. The tournament's structure was also outlined: it would feature a league stage spanning four years, with all ten then-current Test cricket nations participating: Australia, India, England, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh. Following the league stage, the top four teams would advance to play-offs, with the final match determining the ultimate Test cricket champions.
A point of contention arose regarding whether the play-offs should involve the top eight or the top four teams, but the latter was unanimously endorsed by the board. It was also confirmed that this championship would supersede the ICC Champions Trophy. However, no definitive decision had been reached concerning the resolution of drawn matches in the knockout stages.
Alas, in 2011, the ICC announced a postponement of the Test Championship until 2017. The 2013 tournament was subsequently cancelled due to financial exigencies within the board and its commitments to sponsors and broadcasters. England and Wales, the original hosts, were instead awarded the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, the very tournament the Test Championship was meant to replace. This decision drew considerable ire; prominent figures like Greg Chappell and Graeme Smith voiced their disapproval, deeming the postponement of the Test Championship unwarranted and incorrect. The Guardian reported this as a significant setback for Lord's, which had been slated to host the final.
During an ICC Chief Executives' meeting in April 2012, it was confirmed that the ICC Champions Trophy would be held for the last time in 2013, with the inaugural Test Championship play-offs rescheduled for June 2017. The ICC also stated its intention to maintain a single trophy for each format of the game, effectively signaling the discontinuation of the Champions Trophy, given that the Cricket World Cup already served as the premier event for 50-over cricket. Speculation also arose about the potential revival of the timeless test format for the final, with further discussions about structural enhancements to the championship.
However, by January 2014, the 2017 ICC World Test Championship was again cancelled, and the 2017 ICC Champions Trophy was reinstated.
A significant development occurred in October 2017 when the ICC announced that its members had agreed upon a Test league. This league would involve the top nine teams competing in a series of matches over two years, with the top two teams securing qualification for a World Test League Championship Final, which would be officially recognized as an ICC event.
Tournament Summary
2019–2021 Tournament
The inaugural championship commenced with the historic 2019 Ashes series. The competition was disrupted in March 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic, with matches only resuming in July 2020, and several rounds ultimately being postponed or cancelled. New Zealand secured their place in the final first, following the confirmation that the series between South Africa and Australia would not proceed. India subsequently joined them. The first-ever World Test Championship Final took place between India and New Zealand from June 18 to 23, 2021, at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England. Despite the opening and fourth days being significantly impacted by rain, New Zealand managed to secure victory on the final day, lifting the inaugural World Test Championship trophy.
2021–2023 Tournament
The WTC 2021–23 cycle commenced in August 2021 with the Pataudi Trophy series between India and England. The International Cricket Council officially unveiled the complete schedule along with an updated points system. Australia clinched their spot in the final by winning the third Test match of the 2022–23 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India followed suit, qualifying for their second consecutive final after Sri Lanka failed to win the opening match of their series in New Zealand. The final was contested from June 7 to 11, 2023, at The Oval in London, England, where Australia emerged victorious, defeating India by 209 runs. This marked India's second consecutive loss in a WTC final.
2023–2025 Tournament
The WTC 2023–25 cycle began with the first Test of the Ashes series on June 16, 2023. The International Cricket Council subsequently announced that Lord's in London would host the WTC final in the summer of 2025. In the final, South Africa defeated Australia by 5 wickets to claim their maiden championship title. This was also their second ICC trophy, following their victory in the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy. Aiden Markram was honored with the Player of the Match award.
Results
| Cycle | Number of teams | Final Venue | Winners | Result | Runners-up | Player of the Final | Winning Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | 9 | Rose Bowl, Southampton | New Zealand | New Zealand won by 8 wickets | India | Kyle Jamieson | Kane Williamson |
| 2021–2023 | The Oval, London | Australia | Australia won by 209 runs | India | Travis Head | Pat Cummins | |
| 2023–2025 | Lord's, London | South Africa | South Africa won by 5 wickets | Australia | Aiden Markram | Temba Bavuma | |
| 2025–2027 |
Team Performances
Overview
As of 26 November 2025
| Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Draw | Tied | % Win | % Loss | % Draw | Best performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 58 | 37 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 63.79 | 20.68 | 15.53 | Champions (2021–2023) |
| South Africa | 45 | 25 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 55.55 | 40.00 | 4.45 | Champions (2023–2025) |
| New Zealand | 39 | 19 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 48.71 | 43.58 | 7.69 | Champions (2019–2021) |
| India | 64 | 35 | 23 | 7 | 0 | 53.84 | 35.38 | 10.78 | Runners-up (2019–2021, 2021–2023) |
| England | 71 | 34 | 28 | 9 | 0 | 47.88 | 39.43 | 12.69 | 4th place (2019–2021, 2021–2023) |
| Sri Lanka | 39 | 13 | 20 | 6 | 0 | 33.33 | 51.28 | 15.39 | 5th place (2021–2023) |
| Pakistan | 42 | 14 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 33.33 | 50.00 | 16.66 | 6th place (2019–2021) |
| Bangladesh | 33 | 5 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 15.15 | 75.75 | 9.10 | 7th place (2023–2025) |
| West Indies | 44 | 10 | 28 | 6 | 0 | 22.72 | 63.63 | 13.65 | 8th place (2019–2021, 2021–2023, 2023–2025) |
- Source: CricInfo [30]
Key:
- 1st: Winner
- 2nd: Runners-up
An overview of all the Test playing nations' performances across the cycles:
| Tournament | Team | 2019–2021 | 2021–2023 | 2023–2025 | 2025–2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 3rd | 1st | 2nd | ||
| Bangladesh | 9th | 9th | 7th | ||
| England | 4th | 4th | 5th | ||
| India | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | ||
| New Zealand | 1st | 6th | 4th | ||
| Pakistan | 6th | 7th | 9th | ||
| South Africa | 5th | 3rd | 1st | ||
| Sri Lanka | 7th | 5th | 6th | ||
| West Indies | 8th | 8th | 8th |
Tournament Records
As of 22 November 2025
Batting
- Most runs: Joe Root (6,088) [31]
- Most hundreds: 21 [32]
- Most runs in a single tournament: 1,968 (2023–2025) [33]
- Most hundreds in a single tournament: 8 (2021–23)
- Highest score: David Warner v Pakistan (335*) (2019–21) [34]
Bowling
- Most wickets: Nathan Lyon (219) [35]
- Most wickets in a single tournament: 88 (2021–23) [36]
- Best bowling in an innings: Ajaz Patel v India (10/119) (2021–23) [37]
- Best bowling in a match: 14/225 (2021–23) [38]
Fielding
- Most dismissals by a wicket-keeper: Alex Carey (182) [39]
- Most dismissals in a single tournament: 98 (2023–25) [40]
- Most catches by a fielder: Joe Root (109) [41]
- Most catches in a single tournament: 43 (2023–25) [42]
Team
- Highest score: England v Pakistan (823/7d) (2023–25) [43]
- Lowest score: West Indies v Australia (27) (2025–27) [44]
Trophy
The Test Mace, the trophy awarded to the ICC World Test Championship winner, was meticulously crafted by British silversmiths, Thomas Lyte. [45] Fashioned from silver and plated with 24-carat gold, its base is made of hardwood. The elongated handle is a symbolic representation of a cricket stump, while the apex of the trophy is designed to resemble a cricket ball. [46]