World Test Championship (WTC) Finalists to be Picked on Percentage of Points Earned
Published - 15 Nov 2020, 01:56 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:37 AM
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With the coronavirus pandemic completely disrupting the inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), the ICC is brainstorming possible solution on how to finish the first cycle.
The WTC was launched by ICC last year to lend context to bilateral Test series, giving the format its standalone showpiece like the World Cup in other formats. As per the format, the nine top-ranked sides are scheduled to play six series over two years with the top two making the final at Lord’s.
The final of the inaugural Championship is scheduled to take place in June next year. There were apprehensions that the final might get postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic but the ICC has not given up on it yet. And to ensure that the final takes place in time, the governing body is contemplating several measures at the moment.
How to decide the finalists:
According to reports, the finalists for the WTC will be decided not by the number of points they have but by the percentage of points they have earned from those they have actually contested for. The ICC’s cricket committee has chosen this option for the first edition of a disrupted WTC, according to ESPNcricinfo.
The new proposal has not been approved by the world cricket body yet. The final approval will be given this week when ICC’s last quarterly meeting of the year begins. Another proposal was to consider the games cancelled due to the pandemic as draws and share the points among both the teams but this has been ruled out.
As per the new proposal, New Zealand has the most advantage and can finish among the top two and play the finals. If they win their home series against Pakistan and West Indies they will get 420 points (out of 600 contested) or 70%.
The finalists of the inaugural WTC, however, are likely to be decided by the upcoming series: India vs Australia and then India vs England. India and Australia will play four Tests Down Under before the former welcome England for a five-match series.
India are currently at the top of the points table with 360 points, followed by Australia (296) and England (292). There was also a proposal among the ICC members to tweak the schedule and have two semi-final and a final but it was rejected.
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ICC World Test Championship (WTC)
