The world’s best Test teams compete in this competition to earn the title of World Test Championship champions. Introduced in 2019 by the International Cricket Council (ICC), it pits the top nine Test-playing nations against each other in league-style bilateral series that last for two years. Teams receive points for each match they win (12 points), draw (six) or lose (four). The winning team then progresses to the final, where they are crowned champions.
The tournament was created as a way to honour the importance of Test cricket in a sport increasingly dominated by T20 and one-day games. It is also hoped that the competition will give a boost to the domestic Test game and encourage new audiences to come to the sidelines.
It was a tournament which proved a triumph for South Africa, who beat Australia in the final to secure their first championship. The Proteas clinched their victory with a resounding 209-run margin at Lord’s, with centuries from captain Siya Bavuma and Aiden Markram helping the team to record a historic win.
England will stage the 2027, 2029 and 2031 finals of this competition, with Lord’s set to play host to the showpiece on each occasion. The venue has previously been used for the inaugural World Test Championship final, where South Africa defeated defending champions Australia to win their first trophy. It is a contest that is sure to captivate the world’s fans, and one which will have plenty of intrigue to keep them enthralled.