ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025

 

ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025: A Comprehensive Overview

The ICC World Test Championship 2023–2025 marks the third edition of this prestigious tournament, showcasing the pinnacle of Test cricket. This ongoing event, which began in June 2023 with the highly anticipated Ashes series between England and Australia, will culminate in June 2025 with the final match scheduled to be played at the historic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

Tournament Format

The 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship follows a format designed to ensure the highest level of competition. The tournament features 27 series and a total of 69 matches during the league stage. The teams will compete for crucial points across these matches, aiming to secure one of the top two spots on the points table. The two best-performing teams will face off in the grand final at Lord's.

Key Details:

• Total Matches: 69
• Total Series: 27
• Final Match: Scheduled for June 2025 at Lord's, London

Every team that takes part plays six series, three at home and three away, including two to five Test matches. This structure guarantees a fair and demanding rivalry since every side aims to surpass its opponents on home ground as well as abroad.

Participating Teams

The tournament features nine full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), each bringing its own strengths and strategies to the competition. The participating teams are:

• Australia
• Bangladesh
• England
• India
• New Zealand
• Pakistan
• South Africa
• Sri Lanka
• West Indies

Notably, three ICC full members—Afghanistan, Ireland, and Zimbabwe—are not participating in this edition of the World Test Championship.

Detailed Series Information

1. Australia

• Total Matches: 19
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: India (5), Pakistan (3), West Indies (2)
  • Away: England (5), New Zealand (2), Sri Lanka (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Bangladesh, South Africa

One of the best sides in Test cricket, Australia will play pivotal away series against England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka as well as high-stakes series against India, Pakistan, and West Indies at home.

2. Bangladesh

• Total Matches: 12
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: New Zealand (2), South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (2)
  • Away: India (2), Pakistan (2), West Indies (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Australia, England

With home series against New Zealand, South Africa, and Sri Lanka with trips to India, Pakistan, and the West Indies, Bangladesh has a difficult calendar.

3. England

• Total Matches: 22
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Australia (5), Sri Lanka (3), West Indies (3)
  • Away: India (5), New Zealand (3), Pakistan (3)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Bangladesh, South Africa

England's extended calendar calls for series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka in addition to the Ashes at home. They will also go on demanding away trips to Pakistan, New Zealand, and India.

4. India

• Total Matches: 19
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Bangladesh (2), England (5), New Zealand (3)
  • Away: Australia (5), South Africa (2), West Indies (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Critical home series against England and New Zealand as well as demanding away games against Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies comprise India's schedule.

5. New Zealand

• Total Matches: 14
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Australia (2), England (3), South Africa (2)
  • Away: Bangladesh (2), India (3), Sri Lanka (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Pakistan, West Indies

While visiting Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka, New Zealand will host Australia, England, and South Africa. This looks to be a tough campaign.

6. Pakistan

• Total Matches: 14
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Bangladesh (2), England (3), West Indies (2)
  • Away: Australia (3), South Africa (2), Sri Lanka (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: India, New Zealand

Pakistan's calendar calls for significant home series against Bangladesh, England, and West Indies as well as away trips to Australia, South Africa, and Sri Lanka.

7. South Africa

• Total Matches: 12
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: India (2), Pakistan (2), Sri Lanka (2)
  • Away: Bangladesh (2), New Zealand (2), West Indies (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: Australia, England

Along with away games in Bangladesh, New Zealand, and the West Indies, South Africa has major home series against India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

8. Sri Lanka

• Total Matches: 13
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Australia (2), New Zealand (2), Pakistan (2)
  • Away: Bangladesh (2), England (3), South Africa (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: India, West Indies

Along with challenging away series in Bangladesh, England, and South Africa, Sri Lanka's campaign consists on hosting Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan.

9. West Indies

• Total Matches: 13
• Scheduled Series:
  • Home: Bangladesh (2), India (2), South Africa (2)
  • Away: Australia (2), England (3), Pakistan (2)
• Not Scheduled to Play: New Zealand, Sri Lanka

Though their away games feature Australia, England, and Pakistan, the West Indies will play vital home series against Bangladesh, India, and South Africa.

Points Table and Rankings

Dynamic and reflecting each team's success across the competition, the ICC World Test Championship points table shows Individual match and series results determine points; top two teams move to the championship final. Fans and experts track the standings attentively as the event goes on, guessing about possible finalists.

The dates for the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final have been set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).