Here’s how World Test Championship (WTC) cycle stands at the end of 2023

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 kicked off on June 16, 2023, and is set to conclude in June 2025. administered by the International Cricket Council (ICC), this edition represents the third installment of the championship.

Defending champions

The title defenders, Australia, secured their victory in the 2023 final by defeating India by 209 runs at The Oval. The inaugural WTC champions were New Zealand, emerging triumphant over India in the 2021 final.

Tournament format and points system

The format of the WTC 2023-25 requires each participating team to engage in six series- three on home turf and three away. Each series encompasses two to five Tests, with teams earning 12 points for a win, four points for a draw, and six points for a tie. Mirroring the previous edition, standings are determined by the Points Percentage System (PCT).

Series highlights in 2023

The Ashes 2023 series between England and Australia marked the initiation of the WTC 2023-25 cycle, concluding with a balanced 2-2 result in England. The last series of the year 2023, subsequent Tests on Boxing Day showcased India against South Africa at Centurion and Pakistan against Australia at the MCG. Both host nations secured victories, propelling South Africa and Australia to the pinnacle of the table.

Team performances

South Africa’s debut Test match in the third WTC cycle propelled them to the top spot, closely trailed by Australia, Bangladesh and New Zealand, all boasting a 50% points percentage. Australia, participating in seven Tests, the highest among all teams, clinched four victories and endured two defeats. However, a ten-point deduction for a slow over rate tempered their percentage to 50.

India’s setback to South Africa at Centurion, coupled with a penalty of two points for a slow over rate, relegated them to the sixth position, trailing behind Pakistan. India’s two-match Test series against the West Indies resulted in one victory and one draw.

Pakistan commenced their WTC journey with a 2-0 victory against Sri Lanka but encountered a series loss to Australia under the leadership of new captain Shan Masood.

Creating a historic moment, Bangladesh secured a victory over New Zealand in the first Test of their two-match series. Despite maintaining control in the second game, Glenn Phillips led New Zealand to a comeback victory. Notably, this series marks New Zealand’s sole participation in the WTC 2023-25 cycle till now.

Also READ: Top 5 leading run-scorers in Test cricket in the year 2023

World Test Championship (WTC) cycle standings in the year 2023:

1. South Africa

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 1
• Wins: 1
• Losses: 0
• Draws: 0
• Points Contested: 12
• Percentage: 100%
• Recent Results: Won 1

Matches Remaining:

• 1 vs India (Home)
• 2 vs New Zealand (Away)
• 2 vs West Indies (Away)
• 2 vs Bangladesh (Away)
• 2 vs Sri Lanka (Home)
• 2 vs Pakistan (Home)

2. New Zealand

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 2
• Wins: 1
• Losses: 1
• Draws: 0
• Points Contested: 24
• Percentage: 50%
• Recent Results: Won 1, Lost 1

Matches Remaining:

• 2 vs South Africa (Home)
• 2 vs Australia (Home)
• 2 vs Sri Lanka (Away)
• 3 vs India (Away)
• 3 vs England (Home)

3. Australia

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 7
• Wins: 4
• Losses: 2
• Draws: 1
• Points Contested: 84
• Percentage: 50%
• Recent Results: Won 4, Lost 2, Drawn 1

Matches Remaining:

• 1 vs Pakistan (Home)
• 2 vs West Indies (Home)
• 2 vs New Zealand (Away)
• 5 vs India (Home)
• 2 vs Sri Lanka (Away)

4. Bangladesh

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 2
• Wins: 1
• Losses: 1
• Draws: 0
• Points Contested: 24
• Percentage: 50%
• Recent Results: Won 1, Lost 1

Matches Remaining:

• 2 vs Sri Lanka (Home)
• 2 vs Pakistan (Away)
• 2 vs India (Away)
• 2 vs South Africa (Home)
• 2 vs West Indies (Away)

5. Pakistan

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 4
• Wins: 2
• Losses: 2
• Draws: 0
• Points Contested: 48
• Percentage: 45.83%
• Recent Results: Won 2, Lost 2

Matches Remaining:

• 1 vs Australia (Away)
• 2 vs West Indies (Home)
• 2 vs Bangladesh (Home)
• 3 vs England (Home)
• 2 vs South Africa (Away)

6. India

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 3
• Wins: 1
• Losses: 1
• Draws: 1
• Points Contested: 36
• Percentage: 38.88%
• Recent Results: Won 1, Lost 1, Drawn 1

Matches Remaining:

• 1 vs South Africa (Away)
• 5 vs England (Home)
• 2 vs Bangladesh (Home)
• 3 vs New Zealand (Home)
• 5 vs Australia (Away)

7. West Indies

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 2
• Wins: 0
• Losses: 1
• Draws: 1
• Points Contested: 24
• Percentage: 16.67%
• Recent Results: Drawn 1, Lost 1

Matches Remaining:

• 2 vs Australia (Away)
• 2 vs Pakistan (Away)
• 3 vs England (Away)
• 2 vs South Africa (Home)
• 2 vs Bangladesh (Away)

8. England

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 5
• Wins: 2
• Losses: 2
• Draws: 1
• Points Contested: 60
• Percentage: 15%
• Recent Results: Won 2, Lost 2, Drawn 1

Matches Remaining:

• 5 vs India (Away)
• 3 vs Sri Lanka (Home)
• 3 vs West Indies (Home)
• 3 vs Pakistan (Away)
• 3 vs New Zealand (Away)

9. Sri Lanka

Current WTC Cycle Performance:

• Matches Played: 2
• Wins: 0
• Losses: 2
• Draws: 0
• Points Contested: 24
• Percentage: 0%
• Recent Results: Lost 2

Matches Remaining: 

• 2 vs Bangladesh (Away)
• 3 vs England (Away)
• 2 vs New Zealand (Home)
• 2 vs South Africa (Away)
• 2 vs Australia (Home)

Also READ: Harsha Bhogle reveals Test team of the year 2023; no place for Pat Cummins