Fixing the flaws in the ICC World Test Championship: A fan’s blueprint for better Test cricket

If you have listened to our last Bishop and Bear (and if you haven’t, where have you been?), you will recall we discussed at some length with Raj Patel and Anindya Dutta, ways that the World Test Championship could be structured in a more equitable way to encourage more Test Cricket, better recognition for winning and a fairer sharing of rewards.

Our chat was based on a series of ideas that Raj had proposed and we promised that as soon as he had honed those ideas a bit, we would share them here. Well Raj has done his bit, so a big thank you to him and here they are.

Do please read and of course let us know your thoughts.

Here is Raj’s proposal.

The ICC World Test Championship (WTC) was launched in 2019 to bring context and competitiveness to the longest and purest format of the game. While the idea was noble, the execution has left much to be desired. Uneven scheduling, inconsistent series lengths, and a points system that fails to reflect the true difficulty of matchups have all contributed to a structure that feels more arbitrary than aspirational.

The most recent WTC final at Lord’s, where South Africa triumphed over Australia, was a spectacle but it also exposed the flaws in the journey that led them there. South Africa’s path to the final was shaped by a schedule that favoured shorter series, all of them being two-Test match series and fixtures against teams ranked 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th in the ICC Test rankings. This raised serious questions about fairness, competitive balance, and the legitimacy of qualification.

This article proposes a reformed WTC structure that tackles these issues directly. It introduces a three-tier scheduling model, a bonus system that rewards dominant wins, and a combined scoring model that reflects both consistency and context; all aimed at making the championship fairer, more competitive, and better for the future of Test cricket.

Objectives of the Proposed WTC Reform

This proposal seeks to address key flaws in the current WTC by:

1. Implementing a three-tier scheduling model based on ICC Test rankings, with the ICC ensuring fair and balanced fixture planning.
2. Introducing a hybrid points systemthat combines PCT (Points Percentage System) with bonus points for away wins, longer series, and dominant performances.
3. Raising the minimum series length from two Tests to three Tests, to ensure fairer outcomes and allow each contest to develop a proper narrative.
4. Incentivising teams to play more Tests by guaranteeing fixtures against top sides and offering ICC support to financially weaker boards.

Breaking Down the Proposal

Now that we’ve laid out the key problems and what this proposal aims to solve, let’s get into the heart of it – the structure that can make the WTC fairer, more competitive, and better for everyone who loves Test cricket.

1.Three-Tier Scheduling Model

With nine teams participating in the WTC, they can be divided into three tiers – Elite, Intermediate, and Development based on ICC Test rankings. For the 2027-2029 WTC cycle, which is set to begin in June 2027, this proposal recommends using the rankings as they stand on 1 January 2026. Although this date falls midway through the current WTC cycle, it has been chosen carefully. A later date, such as 1 January 2027, would not give boards enough time to plan and coordinate their fixtures. On the other hand, using rankings from early or mid-2025 would rely too much on historical data that may no longer reflect the current strength of teams. Choosing 1 January 2026 strikes a practical balance as it offers a reasonably up-to-date snapshot of team performance while giving the ICC and all concerned boards an 18-month notice period to prepare and finalise their schedules for the next cycle.

Each team should play six Test series in total, scheduled to include two opponents from each tier – one at home and one away. This ensures a balanced mix of fixtures and prevents any team from qualifying by playing only weaker sides. It also guarantees that lower-ranked teams continue to face top-tier opponents, preserving both visibility and commercial viability.

To illustrate, here are the ICC Test rankings as of 18 August 2025:

Rank	Team	Ratings
1	Australia	124
2	South Africa	115
3	England	112
4	India	107
5	New Zealand	96
6	Sri Lanka	88
7	Pakistan	78
8	West Indies	72
9	Bangladesh	61

Assuming these rankings hold on 1 January 2026, England (ranked 3rd) would be placed in the Elite Tier. In the 2027–2029 WTC cycle, England would play:

• A home series against Australia and an away series against South Africa (Elite Tier)
• An away series against India and a home series against Sri Lanka or New Zealand (Intermediate Tier)
• A home series against Pakistan or West Indies, and an away series against Bangladesh or another Development Tier team.

This would ensure that no team plays a disproportionate number of ‘easy series’ while also facing an equal number of quality opponents. While traditional series like The Ashes, Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy must continue, the ICC will need to step in during Future Tours Program (FTP) discussions to ensure fairness. Some bilateral arrangements may need to be adjusted, and logistical challenges such as seasonal clashes must be managed by the ICC to bring greater balance to WTC scheduling.

2. Hybrid Points System

The current WTC points system treats all wins equally, regardless of opponent strength, match conditions, or series length. This proposal introduces a Hybrid Points System that blends the existing PCT (Points Percentage System) with a new layer of Bonus Points, creating a fairer and more dynamic scoring model.

Bonus Points would be earned across the cycle for:

• Away wins against same-tier or higher-tier opponents
• Victories in Longer Series (4 or 5 Tests)
• Comprehensive wins, such as innings win, 10-wicket wins, or margins of 300+ runs

In the current system, where the Points Percentage System (PCT) serves as the primary metric, directly adding bonus points to match results could result in a team’s PCT exceeding 100%, which is not ideal for maintaining consistency and comparability. To address this, the current points system can be retained as the base, while Bonus Points are accumulated separately throughout the cycle. These would then be assigned a specific weightage at the end of the cycle like how golf handicapping adjusts for difficulty and context.

This system rewards teams not just for winning, but for how, where, and against whom they win, adding depth and credibility to the WTC standings. It also encourages boards to schedule tougher fixtures and longer series, without penalising teams that take on greater challenges.

3. Raising the Minimum Series Length from 2 Tests to 3 Tests

One of the most recurring shortcomings in the current WTC structure is the frequent occurrence of two-Test series. These short contests often fail to produce a definitive result, especially when rain or pitch conditions interfere. A two-match series can end in a draw, or worse, be decided by a single bad day, and thus compromise the fairness and credibility of the championship. Such series often do not give teams enough time to show their true ability or let a proper story unfold. To address this, the proposal recommends:

• Setting a minimum series length of three Tests for all WTC fixtures to ensure each contest has enough scope for a fair outcome.
• Allowing exceptions only for unavoidable logistical constraints, with shorter series receiving reduced base points to discourage their use.
• Encouraging boards to plan multi-format tours (Tests alongside ODIs/T20s) to make longer Test series more financially and logistically viable.

This change would promote more competitive and engaging cricket, enhance fan interest, and strengthen the fairness of the championship.

4. Incentivising Financially Weaker Boards to Play More Tests

Lower-ranked teams often struggle to attract top-tier opponents for longer series, limiting both their visibility and revenue. But under a three-tier scheduling model, teams like Bangladesh and West Indies would be guaranteed fixtures against the Big Three – India, England, and Australia. This not only boosts visibility but also opens greater broadcasting and sponsorship opportunities.

When these teams host top-tier sides, the ICC could step in with financial support through broadcast rights or sponsorship facilitation to make such series viable. Bonus points for strong performances in these matchups would further incentivise effort and competitiveness.

This structure helps bridge the financial gap and gives emerging teams a chance to grow – both on the field and commercially. For boards that struggle to fund Test cricket, this model offers a way forward: more Tests mean more points, more exposure, and more revenue, making the format more sustainable for everyone.

Conclusion: A fairer structure for the WTC

The ICC World Test Championship was created to bring structure and context to Test cricket, but its current format hasn’t lived up to that goal. Uneven scheduling, short series, and a basic points system have led to results that do not always reflect the true competitiveness of the matches.

This proposal offers a practical and balanced blueprint for reform by preserving the traditions of Test cricket while making the format fairer. Three-Tiered scheduling gives every team a balanced set of opponents. A hybrid bonus points system rewards wins that truly matter. Longer series add depth to contests. Guaranteed fixtures for all teams, with financial backing from the ICC, will help secure the long-term future of Test cricket.

If adopted, these changes would turn the WTC into a real championship that reflects the real challenge of Test cricket and gives every team a fair chance to succeed.

Proposal authored by Raj Vijay Patel, Building Services Engineer by profession and an avid cricket fan by choice.