Cricket fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final this year, which will see the top two Test cricket teams battle it out for the title of world champions. But the excitement doesn’t end there, as the second edition of the WTC is already underway, with the final scheduled to take place in 2023.
For those who don’t know, the World Test Championship is a prestigious tournament introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to add more context and meaning to Test cricket, the longest and most traditional form of the sport.
But that’s just a short overview of it, which is why in this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the WTC 2023, including the tournament structure, participating teams, venues, and key dates to watch out for.
What’s WTC 2023?
The World Test Championship (WTC) Final is a one-off cricket match that decides the winner of the inaugural ICC World Test Championship. The WTC is a tournament that was introduced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2019 to give more context and meaning to Test cricket, the longest format of the game.
The WTC Final is scheduled to be played between the two top-ranked Test teams on the ICC rankings at a neutral venue. The first WTC Final happened in June 2021 at the Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Southampton, England between India and New Zealand.
During the WTC, its matches are played over five days and will follow the standard rules of Test cricket, with the team scoring the most runs across two innings being declared the winner. The WTC Final is expected to be a significant event in the cricketing world, as it will determine the first-ever winner of the World Test Championship.
When Will The WTC 2023 Happen?
The event will take place sometime between 4 August 2021 and 11 June 2023. It is best to keep an eye out for official announcements and updates from the organizers of WTC 2023 for more information on the exact dates.
When Was The First WTC?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) started on August 1, 2019, with the first Test match between England and Australia at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
The WTC is a two-year tournament that involves the top nine Test-playing nations competing in a league format, with each team playing six series – three at home and three away. The top two teams at the end of the league stage qualify for the WTC Final, which is played at a neutral venue.
The first WTC cycle started in 2019 and ended in 2021, with India and New Zealand facing off in the inaugural WTC Final in June 2021. The second cycle of the WTC started in August 2021 and will continue until June 2023, when the next WTC Final is scheduled to be played.
What’s The Price?
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) does not have a cash prize or monetary award for the winning team or players. Instead, the WTC trophy is awarded to the winning team of the WTC Final, which is considered a prestigious and coveted title in Test cricket.
The trophy is designed by the renowned British firm, Thomas Lyte, and is made of silver and gold. The ICC has stated that the primary objective of the WTC is to give more context and meaning to Test cricket and promote the longest format of the game, rather than to offer financial rewards to the players or teams.
10 Facts About The World Test Championship Final
Here are 10 facts that you need to know about the World Test Championship Final:
- The WTC Final is the ultimate showdown in Test cricket, where the top two teams compete for the title of world champions.
- The inaugural WTC Final was held in June 2021 at the picturesque Rose Bowl Cricket Ground in Southampton, England.
- Unlike most other major cricket tournaments, the WTC Final is played at a neutral venue, which ensures a fair and balanced contest for both teams.
- The WTC Final is played over a maximum of five days, with each team getting two innings to bat and bowl.
- The WTC trophy, which is awarded to the winning team in the final, is a stunning masterpiece made of silver and gold and designed by the world-renowned firm, Thomas Lyte.
- The two teams that compete in the WTC Final are the ones that finish at the top of the points table at the end of the WTC league phase, which involves nine Test-playing nations playing six series each.
- The WTC Final has a reserve day, which is only used if time is lost due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
- The umpires for the WTC Final are selected from the Elite Panel of ICC Umpires, which comprises the most experienced and highly respected officials in international cricket.
- The WTC Final is considered the ultimate test of a team’s skills, temperament, and resilience, as it is played in the most challenging conditions against the best opposition.
- The WTC Final is a highly anticipated and prestigious event in the cricketing world, and winning it is the ultimate dream for every Test-playing nation and player.
Please do note that these are just some of the many facts that you should know about WTC.
Who Governs WTC?
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is responsible for handling the ICC World Test Championship (WTC). The ICC is the global governing body of cricket, and it is responsible for organizing and regulating international cricket tournaments and events, including the WTC.
The ICC establishes the rules and regulations for the WTC, selects the venues for the matches, appoints the match officials, maintains the points table, and oversees the overall conduct of the tournament. The ICC is also responsible for promoting the WTC and marketing it to cricket fans around the world to raise its profile and increase its popularity.
Summary
The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is an international cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The tournament features nine Test-playing nations, who compete in a league phase by playing six series each over two years. The top two teams in the points table at the end of the league phase qualify for the WTC Final, where they compete for the title of world champions in the longest format of the game.
The event will take place sometime between 4 August 2021 and 11 June 2023. The WTC Final is considered one of the most prestigious titles in Test cricket, and it is played at a neutral venue selected by the ICC. You have to keep in mind that the winning team of the WTC Final is awarded the WTC trophy, a stunning masterpiece made of silver and gold and designed by Thomas Lyte.
Frequently Asked Questions About WTC (World Test Championship)
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about WTC along with their answers:
What is the ICC World Test Championship (WTC)?
The ICC World Test Championship is an international cricket tournament that features the top nine Test-playing nations competing in a league phase over two years, followed by a final between the top two teams that are in the tournament.
How is the winner of the WTC determined?
The winner of the WTC is determined based on the points accumulated by each team during the league phase and the outcome of the WTC Final. The team with the highest number of points at the end of the league phase qualifies for the final, where they face the second-ranked team.
How many series does each team play in the WTC league phase?
Each team plays six series (three at home and three away) during the WTC league phase.
What is the format of the WTC Final?
The WTC Final is played over a maximum of five days, with each team getting two innings to bat and bowl.
When and where is the WTC Final held?
The schedule and venue for the WTC Final are determined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and may vary from one edition of the tournament to another. For the inaugural edition in 2021, the WTC Final was held in Southampton, England.
What are the criteria for deciding the venue of the WTC Final?
The venue for the WTC Final is selected by the ICC based on various factors, including the infrastructure, facilities, and suitability of the venue for the match.
What is the WTC trophy?
The WTC trophy is a stunning masterpiece made of silver and gold and designed by the world-renowned firm, Thomas Lyte. The winning team of the WTC Final is awarded the trophy.
Is the WTC Final played at a neutral venue?
Yes, the WTC Final is played at a neutral venue selected by the ICC to ensure a fair and balanced contest for both teams.
How does the reserve day work in the WTC Final?
The reserve day is only used if time is lost due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances during the WTC Final. If the match cannot be completed on the scheduled days, the reserve day is used to make up for the lost time.
What is the significance of the WTC Final in the cricketing world?
The WTC Final is considered the ultimate test of a team’s skills, temperament, and resilience in Test cricket. Winning the WTC Final is the ultimate dream for every Test-playing nation and player, and it is one of the most prestigious titles in cricket.
Who Are The Favorites To Win WTC 2023?
The cricket team of India is currently the favorite to win the WTC 2023.
Who Was The First Winner Of WTC?
The first winner was New Zealand. They are the defending champions as of this moment.
Which Teams Are In The Top 4 Of WTC 2023?
India, Sri Lanka, Australia, and England are the current top 4 of the WTC 2023.
Where Is The WTC 2023 Final Happening?
The WTC 2023 is happening in The Oval, London, England.
Are you planning to watch WTC 2023 this year? Let us know if you are by leaving a comment in the comments section down below!