The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) is set to begin with a highly anticipated Ashes series between Australia and England on June 16. Australia, the defending champions, will be aiming to retain their title in the five-match series that will be held at Edgbaston, Lord's, Leeds, Manchester, and The Oval.
Meanwhile, two-time WTC runners-up India will kick off their campaign with a two-Test tour of the West Indies, playing matches in Dominica and Trinidad from July 12 to 16 and July 20 to 24. Their next challenge will be a two-game away series against South Africa, scheduled between December 2023 and January 2024.
In January and February 2024, India will host England for a five-match Test series, followed by two matches against Bangladesh and a three-match Test series against New Zealand in September, October, and November. The final assignment of their WTC cycle will be the highly anticipated five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia from November 2024 to January 2025.
The WTC cycle comprises nine teams, each playing three home and three away series over a two-year period. The points percentage system will determine the leaderboard, with 12 points awarded for a win, six for a tie, and four for a draw. Australia will play nine away matches in this cycle, including two-Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
"The ICC World Test Championship has injected new life into Test cricket, providing context for players and fans and intensifying the level of competition as teams strive to be crowned World Test Champions at the end of the two-year cycle. The remarkable turnout at The Oval for the final and the significant global viewership demonstrate the enduring popularity of Test cricket," stated Wasim Khan, ICC's General Manager of Cricket.
Australia captain Pat Cummins expressed his team's satisfaction with winning the previous edition and their excitement for the upcoming cycle. Australia will play 10 Tests at home, facing India (five), Pakistan (three), and the West Indies (two). England, on the other hand, will play 10 Tests at home and 11 away. They will host the West Indies (three) and Sri Lanka (two), and face Australia in addition to playing away matches against India (five), Pakistan (three), and New Zealand (three).
England Test skipper Ben Stokes expressed his anticipation for the new cycle of the World Test Championship, highlighting the intriguing series against Australia with the added significance of WTC points. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the proceedings, and both teams are eager to commence their journeys in pursuit of the ultimate Test cricket glory.
The two-year-long journey towards the title of World Test Champions in 2025 promises to be an exciting and fiercely competitive period for all participating teams.