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ICC Test Championship

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description ICC Test Championship Overview

The ICC World Test Championship is an international cricket competition organized by the International Cricket Council to determine the top Test-playing nation. Structured as a multi-year league, teams earn points based on their match performances across a designated cycle. The two highest-ranked teams at the end of the cycle advance to a single final match to decide the championship winner, adding a definitive competitive framework to the traditional Test format.

help ICC Test Championship FAQ

When did the ICC World Test Championship begin?

The inaugural ICC World Test Championship cycle began in 2019. The first final was held in 2021 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, England, where New Zealand defeated India to become the first World Test Champions.

How does the points system work in the ICC World Test Championship?

Teams earn points based on match results—wins, draws, and ties—across designated Test series during each championship cycle. A percentage-of-points calculation is used to rank teams fairly, since different teams play different numbers of matches.

Who won the most recent ICC World Test Championship final?

Australia won the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final by defeating India at The Oval in London. The final is contested between the top two teams in the league standings at the end of each cycle.

Which teams participate in the ICC World Test Championship?

The competition includes the ICC's full member nations that play Test cricket, such as Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh. Each team plays a set number of bilateral Test series during the cycle, with results counting toward the championship standings.