ICC Set To Overhaul Test Cricket Completely

The ICC is set to bring a major overhaul in the Test cricket world, as per The Telegraph report. As the next World Test Championship (WTC) may witness significant changes as cricket officials look into measures to improve competitiveness and fairness.

A few ideas have been put forth to improve the WTC's competitiveness and attract top-tier performances. Changing the scoring system according to the strength of the opposition is one of the main ideas being discussed.

This implies that winning the ICC WTC series would earn more points than defeating lower-ranked teams, such as Australia or India.

Given that England frequently plays both Australia and India in each cycle, this adjustment would greatly improve their chances of making it to the ICC WTC Final.

ICC to take inspiration from Six Nations Rugby League to change Test cricket

New Zealand's record 3-0 Test series victory in India last year would have earned them more points than they presently have if this regulation had been in effect.

Despite the radically different obstacles, New Zealand's triumph had the same significance under the present system as England's 3-0 victory against the West Indies at home.

Another suggestion is to give away victories extra points to motivate the teams to concentrate more on international series. Test cricket might become more competitive as a result of this shift since it might result in improved results abroad and balance out international cricket.

The current point system benefits only a few teams as per the ICC

Following South Africa's qualification for the WTC Final 2025, the ICC rule-makers may also alter the present format, which they have been contemplating as beneficial to certain teams.

There have been complaints that South Africa's schedule, which omitted Test matches against Australia and England, allowed them to easily advance to the final.

In the 2023–25 cycle, South Africa won away series against Bangladesh and the West Indies and defeated Pakistan and Sri Lanka at home. They also lost in New Zealand and drew a home series against India. They were spared from playing either Australia or England, though, and many people think this gave them an edge and made qualifying simpler.

Australia, India, and England are unfairly favored by the WTC points system currently

Since the Indian government forbids bilateral series between the two countries, any modifications to the points system must also take into account the continued absence of India-Pakistan Test matches. This would complicate the system and possibly confuse supporters.

Since Australia, England, and India play over twice as many Test matches as other countries, the existing format has long been criticized for favoring these powerful teams. India advanced to the final in both 2021 and 2023, which is significant because Australia has already advanced to back-to-back finals after winning the title in 2023.

Despite hosting all of the finals and being regarded as the home of Test cricket, England has not placed in the top three in any of the three WTC cycles thus far.

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